Police Officer Salary in Frankfort, KY: $61,638 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Frankfort, KY earns a median $61,638/year (≈ $29.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Frankfort's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $69,024 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Determining police officer compensation in Frankfort, Kentucky, reveals a median annual salary of $61,638, which is notably lower than the national median of $78,542. Projections show a salary range for officers that spans from $38,308 at the 10th percentile to $93,094 at the 90th percentile, based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026. These figures consider local cost-of-living factors, specifically a cost-of-living index of 89.3, which indicates that living expenses in Frankfort are below the national average. As the local economy continues to evolve, prospective police officers might find a balance between the lower salary rates and the potential for long-term retirement benefits through pension multiplier formulas that impact overall earnings in the later stages of their careers.
About the Frankfort Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,308 | $18.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,256 | $22.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,638 | $29.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,393 | $37.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,094 | $44.76 |
Median Salary Position
21.52% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Frankfort
In Frankfort, KY, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,786 (2026 est.). At $61,638, the local median is 21.52% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Frankfort: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Frankfort Police Officer Pay Compares
Frankfort median: $61,638/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Frankfort Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $62,896 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -21.52% less |
Police Officers in Frankfort, KY earn a median of $61,638 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.52% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 2.00% below the Kentucky state average of $62,896.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Frankfort 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.
Frankfort, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $61,638 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,024 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,559
2025 BLS Actual
$59,808
2026 Current Est.
$61,638
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Frankfort (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,559 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,434 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,705 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,631 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,724 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,488 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,808 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,638 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,524 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Frankfort metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $49,559 (2019) to $59,808 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,524 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,965 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Frankfort 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) | $38,308 – $47,256 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,256 – $61,638 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,638 – $77,393 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,393 – $93,094 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Frankfort
With only six police officers employed in the area, the job market for law enforcement in Frankfort feels limited. The cost of living, indexed at 89.3, means that officers must carefully navigate their financial landscapes to maximize take-home pay. Municipal police departments typically lead in salary offerings, followed by county sheriff's offices, but the pay disparity can be significant based on agency type and jurisdiction. Factors contributing to the range in salaries include overtime potential, special unit assignments like detective or K-9 roles, and educational incentives—where a higher degree can yield additional percentage pay. Strategies for maximizing earnings could involve considering positions with agencies that provide robust pension plans, maintaining current training and qualifications, or seeking assignments that come with shift differentials. Understanding how much do police officers make in Frankfort requires insight into these nuances and the impact they have on total compensation throughout an officer's career.
More salary data for Frankfort, 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 $59,808 for police officersin the Frankfort 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 Frankfort 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