Police Officer Salary in Wichita, KS: $62,702 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Wichita, KS earns a median $62,702/year (≈ $30.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Wichita's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.9), that paycheck buys what $70,494 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.2% below the Kansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, police officers in Wichita, Kansas are projected to earn a median salary of $62,702, which falls significantly below the national median of $78,542. The salary range for officers in the area spans from $48,036 at the 10th percentile to $82,767 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the disparity in compensation as a factor of experience and agency type. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and reflect the unique employment structure within Wichita where municipal, county, and federal law enforcement agencies often offer varying levels of pay. The competitive nature of law enforcement careers in this region reveals critical insights for job seekers navigating their options in Wichita's law enforcement landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,036 | $23.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,354 | $26.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,702 | $30.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,608 | $31.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,767 | $39.79 |
Median Salary Position
20.17% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wichita
In Wichita, KS, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,731 (2026 est.). At $62,702, the local median is 20.17% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wichita: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wichita Police Officer Pay Compares
Wichita median: $62,702/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wichita Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $71,414 | -12.20% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -20.17% less |
Police Officers in Wichita, KS earn a median of $62,702 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.17% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 12.20% below the Kansas state average of $71,414.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wichita has a cost of living 11.05% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wichita, KS has a cost-of-living index of 88.946 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $62,702 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,494 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.43% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,420
2025 BLS Actual
$60,840
2026 Current Est.
$62,702
2019–2027 Growth
+36.3%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Wichita (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,420 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,040 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,270 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,080 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,690 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,840 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,702 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,620 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wichita metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 28.3% from $47,420 (2019) to $60,840 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,620 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,200 (36.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wichita 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) | $48,036 – $54,354 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,354 – $62,702 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,702 – $65,608 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,608 – $82,767 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Wichita
With approximately 1,150 police officers currently employed in Wichita, the job market remains robust, yet the local cost of living index of 88.946 indicates that inflationary pressures could affect take-home purchasing power for officers. Among employers, municipal police departments typically offer the most advantageous pay packages compared to county sheriff's offices, state police, and federal agencies. Factors contributing to the pay disparity include the type of agency, potential overtime benefits from union contracts, and opportunities for special assignments that command premium pay. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Wichita, pursuing specialized training through POST, seeking additional certifications, and considering roles with federal law enforcement can enhance overall compensation. Understanding these dynamics is essential for police officers looking to effectively navigate their career options in Wichita, KS.
More salary data for Wichita, 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 $60,840 for police officersin the Wichita 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
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