Police Officer Salary in Elizabethtown, KY: $60,836 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Elizabethtown, KY earns a median $60,836/year (≈ $29.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Elizabethtown's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.6), that paycheck buys what $67,169 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Elizabethtown, Kentucky, the projected police officer salary in 2026 stands at $60,836, which is notably lower than the national median of $78,542. This salary indicates a significant gap, reflecting a broader trend where municipal pay often lags behind that of federal and state agencies. Within the local context, the salary range for police officers varies widely, falling between $46,367 for the lowest earners and reaching up to $83,262 for those at the top end of the scale. This data is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys and illustrates that while opportunities for law enforcement exist in the city, the compensation structure clearly signals competition with both regional and federal positions, influencing the choices many potential recruits face when weighing their career options.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,367 | $22.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,136 | $28.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,836 | $29.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,627 | $33.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,262 | $40.03 |
Median Salary Position
22.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elizabethtown
In Elizabethtown, KY, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,895 (2026 est.). At $60,836, the local median is 22.54% below the national median of $78,542.
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At 40 hours/week in Elizabethtown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Elizabethtown Police Officer Pay Compares
Elizabethtown median: $60,836/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elizabethtown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $62,912 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -22.54% less |
Police Officers in Elizabethtown, KY earn a median of $60,836 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.54% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 3.30% below the Kentucky state average of $62,912.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elizabethtown has a cost of living 9.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Elizabethtown, KY has a cost-of-living index of 90.572 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $60,836 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,169 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.41% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,760
2025 BLS Actual
$59,030
2026 Current Est.
$60,836
2019–2027 Growth
+40.1%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Elizabethtown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,760 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,720 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,530 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,580 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,020 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,300 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,030 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,836 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,698 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elizabethtown metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 31.9% from $44,760 (2019) to $59,030 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,698 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,938 (40.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elizabethtown 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) | $46,367 – $60,136 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,136 – $60,836 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,836 – $69,627 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,627 – $83,262 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Elizabethtown
Considering the local job market, with 340 police officers currently employed in the area, Elizabethtown presents a realist picture of law enforcement compensation. The cost of living index is set at 90.572, suggesting that while salaries may appear lower in relative terms, they still hold purchasing power within the local economy. Among local employers, municipal police departments typically pay less than federal agencies like the FBI or DEA, which tend to offer higher salaries and expansive benefit packages. The disparity between the lowest and highest pay can be attributed to agency type, overtime structures, and various stipends for special assignments. For those seeking to maximize their pay in Elizabethtown, pursuing educational qualifications, seeking union-backed overtime opportunities, and opting for roles in esteemed local agencies are viable strategies to enhance their earning potential in a competitive labor environment.
More salary data for Elizabethtown, 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 $59,030 for police officersin the Elizabethtown 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