Police Officer Hourly Pay in Louisville, KY: $32.98 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Louisville, KY runs $32.98 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,602 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Louisville's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,158 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Louisville, Kentucky, the current police officer hourly pay stands at $32.98, which is lower than the national hourly median of $37.76. This disparity in rates can significantly impact those opting for part-time roles or per-diem police work, offering them a structured yet flexible way to engage in law enforcement activities. Officers typically work from patrol vehicles on assigned beats, navigate police station environments doing report writing, testify in court, or partake in specialized units like SWAT. The hourly range for officers in Louisville stretches from $19.13 for entry-level positions up to $51.12 for those in advanced roles or specialized assignments, reflecting varied levels of experience and responsibility within the department.
About the Louisville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.13 | $153.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.29 | $194.33 |
| Median (P50) | $32.98 | $263.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.21 | $337.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.12 | $408.94 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Louisville
Based on $32.98/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.98/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Louisville, KY can expect to earn approximately $68,597 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,575. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Louisville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Louisville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,319.17 | $5,716 | $68,597 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $791.50 | $3,430 | $41,158 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $527.67 | $2,287 | $27,439 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Louisville) | $32.98 |
| 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 Louisville, KY earn a median of $68,602 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.66% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 9.00% above the Kentucky state average of $62,938.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.98/hr = $41,158/year (purchasing power: $46,090).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,597/year (purchasing power: $76,816).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.52/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.00/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.98/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Louisville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.52/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.52/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.62/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.00/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.98/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Louisville grew 20.7% from $26.52/hr (2019) to $32.00/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.99/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 Louisville 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 Louisville
Earnings for part-time officers working three days a week—approximately 24 hours—can yield about $40,208 annually, contrasting sharply with a full-time counterpart's higher earning potential. The reality of police work in Louisville often includes mandatory overtime, which can escalate earnings by 20-50% through special court appearances, details, and shift extensions. Those pursuing per-diem assignments may find typical officer pay at events fluctuating between $35 to $75 per hour depending on the job's nature. Additionally, hourly pay can differ vastly across employer types—including city police departments, county sheriff's offices, and federal agencies—due to funding resources and operational scope. Moreover, some officers may find themselves accepting lower hourly wages for the benefit of health insurance while others may prioritize higher hourly rates without benefits for a greater immediate payoff. For those negotiating their hourly rate in Louisville, understanding the local job market and the associated benefits can lead to more favorable terms.
More salary data for Louisville, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for police officers in Louisville in 2026?
How much do part-time police officers make in Louisville?
Are police officers in Louisville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time police officer make per year in Louisville?
Do police officers earn more per hour working part-time in Louisville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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 Louisville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Louisville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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