Police Officer Salary in Lexington, KY: $63,609 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Lexington, KY earns a median $63,609/year (≈ $30.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Lexington's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.9), that paycheck buys what $68,479 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the average police officer salary in Lexington, KY is projected to be $63,609, which reflects a notable gap compared to the national median of $78,542. The salary spectrum for officers in this city spans from $49,407 at the lower end (P10) up to $90,950 at the upper end (P90), revealing substantial income variability within the police force. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys. When considering the broader job market environment in Lexington, the median pay is indicative of a local compensation structure that tends to underperform against larger metropolitan areas and federal law enforcement roles, emphasizing the need for a robust job recruitment strategy in an increasingly competitive field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,407 | $23.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,496 | $29.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,609 | $30.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,099 | $37.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,950 | $43.73 |
Median Salary Position
19.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lexington
In Lexington, KY, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,543 (2026 est.). At $63,609, the local median is 19.01% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lexington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lexington Police Officer Pay Compares
Lexington median: $63,609/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lexington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $62,917 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | -19.01% less |
Police Officers in Lexington, KY earn a median of $63,609 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.01% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 1.10% above the Kentucky state average of $62,917.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lexington has a cost of living 7.11% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lexington, KY has a cost-of-living index of 92.889 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $63,609 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,479 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,560
2025 BLS Actual
$61,720
2026 Current Est.
$63,609
2019–2027 Growth
+43.9%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Lexington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,560 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,180 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,310 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,200 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,590 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,070 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,720 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,609 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,555 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lexington metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 35.5% from $45,560 (2019) to $61,720 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,555 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,995 (43.89%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lexington 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) | $49,407 – $60,496 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,496 – $63,609 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,609 – $78,099 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,099 – $90,950 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Lexington
With approximately 1,090 police officers employed in the Lexington area, the job market appears stable, though local cost-of-living factors significantly influence the take-home purchasing power of these officers. With a cost-of-living index at 92.889, expenses are somewhat less in Lexington than the national average, which could impact the real value of officers' salaries. Among the various employers, federal law enforcement agencies like the FBI and DEA typically offer the highest compensation contrasted with municipal departments, which serve as the primary source of employment for local officers. Variability in pay can often be attributed to factors such as agency type, overtime potential, and special assignment incentives. To maximize earnings in this environment, prospective officers might consider opportunities for additional training or educational qualifications, as many departments offer salary increases for advanced degrees and specialized roles within the field.
More salary data for Lexington, KY:
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 $61,720 for police officersin the Lexington 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