Police Officer Salary in Hays, KS: $66,846 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Hays, KS earns a median $66,846/year (≈ $32.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Hays's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $73,538 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.4% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officers in Hays, Kansas, can expect a median annual salary of $66,846, which reflects the local economic landscape where figures are derived from 2025 BLS estimates adjusted for regional cost variations. The salary range showcases a breadth of opportunity, from $46,913 at the 10th percentile to $95,936 at the 90th percentile. Such a structure highlights the potential for growth within the police officer pay scale in Hays compared to national figures, where the median salary is notably higher at $78,542. With various factors like pension multipliers influencing long-term retirement benefits, officers in this city have the potential for significant financial stability, underscoring the importance of understanding both current compensation and future earnings dynamics in the local job market.
About the Hays Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,913 | $22.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,052 | $26.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,846 | $32.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,066 | $40.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,936 | $46.12 |
Median Salary Position
14.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hays
In Hays, KS, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,023 (2026 est.). At $66,846, the local median is 14.89% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hays: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hays Police Officer Pay Compares
Hays median: $66,846/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hays Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $71,416 | -6.40% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -14.89% less |
Police Officers in Hays, KS earn a median of $66,846 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.89% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 6.40% below the Kansas state average of $71,416.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hays has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hays, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $66,846 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,538 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,746
2025 BLS Actual
$64,861
2026 Current Est.
$66,846
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Hays (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,746 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,780 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,988 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,993 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,516 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,809 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,861 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,846 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,891 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hays metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $53,746 (2019) to $64,861 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,891 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,145 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hays 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) | $46,913 – $55,052 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,052 – $66,846 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,846 – $84,066 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,066 – $95,936 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Hays
Hays currently employs five police officers, indicating a niche yet stable law enforcement job market in the region. The cost-of-living index at 90.9 suggests that while salaries may appear lower than the national average, they provide a reasonable take-home value reflective of local expenses. Municipal police departments typically lead in local compensation, though opportunities at county sheriff's offices or federal positions may offer higher wages. Variability in pay arises from factors such as agency type, overtime structures negotiated by unions, special unit assignments, and educational incentives, which can significantly influence overall earnings. Officers keen on maximizing their pay in Hays should consider advanced training and certifications, as these often yield substantial wage increases, thereby enhancing their long-term financial outlook amidst the city's employment dynamics.
More salary data for Hays, KS:
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 $64,861 for police officersin the Hays 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 Hays 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