Police Officer Salary in Ashland, KY: $58,544 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Ashland, KY earns a median $58,544/year (≈ $28.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Ashland's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $65,559 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officers in Ashland, Kentucky, can expect a median annual salary of $58,544, which is significantly below the national median of $78,542. The salary range for these officers spans from $37,508 at the 10th percentile to $82,428 at the 90th percentile. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, illustrate the pay disparity often seen in local law enforcement compared to federal positions and larger urban departments. Notably, Ashland's salary figures reflect a regional adjustment for the area's cost of living, which, at an index of 89.3, indicates that expenses are typically lower than the national average. This context can guide current officers and potential recruits making decisions about their careers in law enforcement within the local job market.
About the Ashland Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,508 | $18.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,751 | $21.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,544 | $28.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,509 | $34.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,428 | $39.63 |
Median Salary Position
25.46% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ashland
In Ashland, KY, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,920 (2026 est.). At $58,544, the local median is 25.46% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ashland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ashland Police Officer Pay Compares
Ashland median: $58,544/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ashland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $62,951 | -7.00% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -25.46% less |
Police Officers in Ashland, KY earn a median of $58,544 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.46% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 7.00% below the Kentucky state average of $62,951.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ashland has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ashland, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $58,544 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,559 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,071
2025 BLS Actual
$56,806
2026 Current Est.
$58,544
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Ashland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,071 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,853 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,160 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,039 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,877 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,175 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,806 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,544 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,336 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ashland metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $47,071 (2019) to $56,806 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,336 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,265 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ashland 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) | $37,508 – $45,751 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,751 – $58,544 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,544 – $72,509 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,509 – $82,428 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Ashland
In Ashland, only four police officers are currently employed, highlighting a relatively small local workforce in law enforcement. The cost of living, with an index of 89.3, suggests that while the salaries may be lower than the national average, officers can still maintain a reasonable standard of living. Among local employers, municipal police departments generally provide competitive pay, but federal agencies often offer higher salaries, making them an attractive option for those seeking advancement. Factors contributing to the variance in pay levels include agency type, shift differentials, and various allowances such as overtime, which can be influenced by union contracts. Those looking to maximize their compensation in Ashland can benefit from pursuing additional training, special assignments, and educational incentives, which enhance earning potential in this smaller job market.
More salary data for Ashland, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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 $56,806 for police officersin the Ashland 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 Ashland 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