Police Officer Salary in Key West, FL: $69,510 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Key West, FL earns a median $69,510/year (≈ $33.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Key West's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $68,958 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Key West, Florida, police officer salaries reflect the local law enforcement structure, which comprises municipal, state, and federal agencies. The 2026 median annual salary for police officers is projected to be $69,510, which is notably below the national average of $78,542. Salary ranges for positions in the area extend from $43,586 at the 10th percentile to $99,039 at the 90th percentile, showcasing a diverse pay scale that accommodates a variety of roles and experience levels. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, adjusted for regional cost factors. With such a salary landscape, Key West presents a unique opportunity for potential recruits and current officers considering their career paths within law enforcement.
About the Key West Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,586 | $20.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,793 | $25.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,510 | $33.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,763 | $42.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,039 | $47.61 |
Median Salary Position
11.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Key West
In Key West, FL, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,453 (2026 est.). At $69,510, the local median is 11.5% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Key West: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Key West Police Officer Pay Compares
Key West median: $69,510/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Key West Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $70,568 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -11.50% less |
Police Officers in Key West, FL earn a median of $69,510 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.50% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 1.50% below the Florida state average of $70,568.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Key West has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Key West, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $69,510 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $68,958 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,888
2025 BLS Actual
$67,446
2026 Current Est.
$69,510
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Key West (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,888 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,003 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,180 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,224 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,968 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,579 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,446 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,510 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,637 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Key West metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $55,888 (2019) to $67,446 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,637 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,749 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Key West 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $43,586 – $53,793 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,793 – $69,510 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,510 – $87,763 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,763 – $99,039 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Key West
However, the local job market for police officers in Key West is somewhat limited, with only four officers employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 100.8, indicating that living expenses are marginally above the national average. This slight elevation affects take-home purchasing power and must be considered when evaluating compensation. Among local employers, municipal police departments generally offer competitive pay, but federal entities like the FBI or DEA provide higher compensation packages, often reaching significantly beyond the regional averages. Factors influencing salary variation include agency type, assigned special units, overtime structure, and educational incentives. To maximize earnings in this competitive market, aspiring officers should explore advanced training opportunities, seek specialized unit assignments, and consider overtime options as viable strategies to enhance their overall compensation in Key West, FL.
More salary data for Key West, FL:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $67,446 for police officersin the Key West metropolitan area. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Key West 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