Police Officer Salary in Independence, KY: $62,424 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Independence, KY earns a median $62,424/year (≈ $30.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Independence's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $69,904 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Police officers in Independence, Kentucky, receive a median annual salary of $62,424 as projected for 2026, reflecting local economic conditions and market comparisons. Their pay ranges from $40,123 at the lower end (10th percentile) to a maximum of $91,995 at the high end (90th percentile). These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost disparities. The salary structure in Independence highlights the differences between municipal and federal law enforcement roles, with local departments typically offering lower salaries than their federal counterparts but striving to remain competitive amidst ever-changing economic conditions. The job market here is influenced by the overall demand for police services and the financial capacity of the city to support law enforcement adequately.
About the Independence Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,123 | $19.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,839 | $23.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,424 | $30.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,330 | $38.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91,995 | $44.23 |
Median Salary Position
20.52% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Independence
In Independence, KY, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,872 (2026 est.). At $62,424, the local median is 20.52% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Independence: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Independence Police Officer Pay Compares
Independence median: $62,424/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Independence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $62,928 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -20.52% less |
Police Officers in Independence, KY earn a median of $62,424 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.52% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 0.80% below the Kentucky state average of $62,928.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Independence 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.
Independence, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $62,424 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,904 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,191
2025 BLS Actual
$60,571
2026 Current Est.
$62,424
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Independence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,191 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,091 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,351 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,289 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,447 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,068 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,571 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,424 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,335 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Independence metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $50,191 (2019) to $60,571 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,335 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,144 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Independence 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) | $40,123 – $48,839 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,839 – $62,424 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,424 – $79,330 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,330 – $91,995 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Independence
In Independence, five police officers are currently employed, suggesting a relatively small force for the area's needs but coping well within the local economic framework. The cost of living index in Independence stands at 89.3, indicating that prices are somewhat lower than the national average, which can enhance the purchasing power of local salaries. The pay scale tends to be influenced primarily by agency type, with municipal departments typically offering less than federal entities. Local law enforcement in Independence competing for talent should consider factors such as union contracts for overtime, specialized unit assignments, educational incentive pay, and overall job benefits. To optimize earnings, officers would benefit from seeking additional training or certifications, which could lead to advancements into higher-paying roles within the department or transitioning into federal positions post-retirement.
More salary data for Independence, 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 $60,571 for police officersin the Independence 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 Independence 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