Police Officer Salary in Liberal, KS: $66,588 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Liberal, KS earns a median $66,588/year (≈ $32.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Liberal's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $73,254 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.7% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Liberal, Kansas, the projected median annual salary for police officers in 2026 is $66,588, reflecting a sizable disparity when compared to the national median of $78,542, indicating a difference of about 15.22%. The salary range is noteworthy, with the lowest ten percent earning approximately $46,079 and the highest ten percent earning around $97,530. These numbers represent local estimates based on state-level data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, adjusting for regional price variances. For those considering a career in law enforcement, understanding this compensation structure is crucial, especially in the context of the choices available within the federal, state, and municipal police agencies operating in the area.
About the Liberal Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,079 | $22.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,523 | $26.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,588 | $32.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,935 | $38.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,530 | $46.89 |
Median Salary Position
15.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Liberal
In Liberal, KS, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,451 (2026 est.). At $66,588, the local median is 15.22% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Liberal: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Liberal Police Officer Pay Compares
Liberal median: $66,588/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Liberal Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $71,370 | -6.70% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -15.22% less |
Police Officers in Liberal, KS earn a median of $66,588 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.22% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 6.70% below the Kansas state average of $71,370.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Liberal 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.
Liberal, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $66,588 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,254 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,539
2025 BLS Actual
$64,611
2026 Current Est.
$66,588
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Liberal (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,539 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,565 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,776 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,777 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,279 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,629 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,611 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,588 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,626 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Liberal metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $53,539 (2019) to $64,611 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,626 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,087 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Liberal 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) | $46,079 – $54,523 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,523 – $66,588 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,588 – $80,935 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,935 – $97,530 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Liberal
Turning to the local job market, only four police officers are currently employed in Liberal, which may affect both competition and department pay structures. The lower cost of living in the area, reflected by a cost-of-living index of 90.9, suggests that officers may experience greater purchasing power with their salaries compared to higher-cost regions. Among potential employers, municipal police departments generally offer more competitive salaries than state police or county sheriff's offices, with opportunities for specialized assignments that can further boost earnings through overtime and stipends. To maximize pay in Liberal, officers should consider obtaining advanced certifications, seeking out leadership roles, or exploring federal employment opportunities which typically offer higher compensation than municipal positions.
More salary data for Liberal, 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 $64,611 for police officersin the Liberal 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 Liberal 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