Police Officer Salary in Paducah, KY: $61,558 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Paducah, KY earns a median $61,558/year (≈ $29.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Paducah's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.1), that paycheck buys what $71,509 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Paducah, Kentucky, the 2026 projected median annual salary for police officers is $61,558, which reflects a noticeable disparity when compared to the national median of $78,542. The salary range for these professionals spans from $38,122 at the 10th percentile to $70,596 at the 90th percentile, indicating a broad variation in earnings based on experience, agency, and assignment types. These salary figures are derived from BLS OEWS surveys, highlighting the structural choices in law enforcement careers. Many officers may pursue federal opportunities, such as with the FBI or DEA, due to their higher pay scales, while municipal agencies like those in Paducah grapple with tighter budgets, impacting overall compensation packages for officers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,122 | $18.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,325 | $23.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,558 | $29.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,165 | $30.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70,596 | $33.94 |
Median Salary Position
21.62% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Paducah
In Paducah, KY, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,474 (2026 est.). At $61,558, the local median is 21.62% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Paducah: You'd be above the median
How Paducah Police Officer Pay Compares
Paducah median: $61,558/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Paducah Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $62,942 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -21.62% less |
Police Officers in Paducah, KY earn a median of $61,558 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.62% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 2.20% below the Kentucky state average of $62,942.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Paducah has a cost of living 13.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Paducah, KY has a cost-of-living index of 86.084 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $61,558 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,509 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.17% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$49,494
2025 BLS Actual
$59,730
2026 Current Est.
$61,558
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Paducah (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,494 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,367 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,638 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,563 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,650 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,730 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,558 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,441 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Paducah metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $49,494 (2019) to $59,730 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,441 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,947 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Paducah 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) | $38,122 – $48,325 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,325 – $61,558 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,558 – $63,165 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,165 – $70,596 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Paducah
Examining the local job market, Paducah employs approximately 160 police officers, a relatively stable workforce in the region. The cost of living index for the city is 86.084, which is below the national average, suggesting that while salaries in Paducah may be lower than the national median, they can still provide a reasonable standard of living given the local economic conditions. Among local employers, municipal departments typically offer competitive pay compared to county sheriff's offices, but federal agencies remain the highest payers due to their substantial compensation and benefits. Factors driving the variance in salaries include agency type, overtime availability, special assignments, and various educational incentives. To maximize earnings, aspiring officers in Paducah should consider taking advantage of specialty training and pursuing higher educational qualifications that can lead to increased pay and advancement opportunities within their careers.
More salary data for Paducah, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Paducah, KY in 2026?
Is Paducah, KY a good place to work as a police officer?
Can police officers make $100K in Paducah?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted police officer salary in Paducah?
How much does a police officer make per hour in Paducah?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
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 $59,730 for police officersin the Paducah 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, 2-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