Police Officer Hourly Pay in Lexington, KY: $30.58 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Lexington, KY runs $30.58 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,609 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Lexington's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.9, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.92 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,161 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lexington, Kentucky, police officers earn a median hourly pay of $30.58, which is considerably lower than the national median of $37.76. This discrepancy may affect part-time officers, particularly those working three days a week, as they earn just under $24,000 annually based on a typical schedule. For per-diem workers, the opportunities for extra shifts in varied settings—such as patrol vehicles, police station booking areas, or courtrooms—can sometimes yield a more flexible income. The hourly rates span a range from $23.76 for entry-level positions to $43.73 for seasoned professionals, highlighting the potential for advancement within the ranks. These figures, drawn from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics data, underscore not just the basic compensation, but also the various work settings where officers might find themselves.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.76 | $190.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.08 | $232.67 |
| Median (P50) | $30.58 | $244.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.54 | $300.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.73 | $349.83 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lexington
Based on $30.58/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.58/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lexington, KY can expect to earn approximately $63,602 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,693. With a cost-of-living index of 92.89 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lexington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lexington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,223.12 | $5,300 | $63,602 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $733.87 | $3,180 | $38,161 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $489.25 | $2,120 | $25,441 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Lexington) | $30.58 |
| Firefighter (National Avg) | $28.13 |
| Detective / Criminal Investigator (National Avg) | $45.86 |
| Correctional Officer (National Avg) | $25.24 |
| Security Guard (National Avg) | $17.32 |
Police Officers in Lexington, KY earn a median of $63,609 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.01% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 1.10% above the Kentucky state average of $62,917.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.58/hr = $38,161/year (purchasing power: $41,083).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,602/year (purchasing power: $68,471).
CoL index: 92.889 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.90/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.58/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Lexington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.90/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.17/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.75/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.65/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.76/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.32/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.58/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.51/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Lexington grew 35.5% from $21.90/hr (2019) to $29.67/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.51/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem police officers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lexington metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.06% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Police Officer in Lexington
Taking into account the differences in earnings based on work arrangements, a part-time police officer in Lexington typically earns around $36,134 annually by working 24 hours a week for the entire year. This is notably less than what full-time officers earn, especially when considering the additional benefits that full-time employment often provides, such as health insurance. For agencies looking to hire per diem police officers, the pay can vary widely, with off-duty assignments often paying between $35 and $75 per hour. Officers in different types of law enforcement—be it municipal police, county sheriff’s offices, or federal agencies—often experience varied pay scales, reflecting the structural differences within the industry. While some may opt for higher hourly pay in private sectors or agency roles, the trade-off is often with employment benefits. Those negotiating their salaries should emphasize their training and experience to advocate for more competitive hourly rates, particularly within a regional context where pay can differ markedly.
More salary data for Lexington, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in law enforcement. They specialize in community policing strategies. Jordan works with a municipal police department.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for police officers in Lexington. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for police officers (SOC 33-3051).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice, a licensed police officer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov