Police Officer Salary in Richmond, KY: $61,956 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Richmond, KY earns a median $61,956/year (≈ $29.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Richmond's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $69,380 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a police officer in Richmond, KY, can expect a median annual salary of $61,956, a figure that reflects the local economic context and pension multiplier impacts on long-term retirement compensation. The salary range spans from a 10th percentile earning of $38,775 to a 90th percentile salary of $88,188. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments, indicate a competitive landscape, particularly given the significant variation relative to the national median salary of $78,542. Richmond’s police officer pay structure highlights both the local cost of living considerations and the financial implications of career longevity in law enforcement.
About the Richmond Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,775 | $18.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,892 | $23.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,956 | $29.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,172 | $37.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,188 | $42.40 |
Median Salary Position
21.12% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richmond
In Richmond, KY, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,413 (2026 est.). At $61,956, the local median is 21.12% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richmond: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Richmond Police Officer Pay Compares
Richmond median: $61,956/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richmond Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $62,899 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -21.12% less |
Police Officers in Richmond, KY earn a median of $61,956 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.12% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 1.50% below the Kentucky state average of $62,899.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richmond 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.
Richmond, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $61,956 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,380 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,814
2025 BLS Actual
$60,116
2026 Current Est.
$61,956
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,814 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,699 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,966 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,896 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,016 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,722 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,116 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,956 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,851 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richmond metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $49,814 (2019) to $60,116 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,851 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,037 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richmond 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) | $38,775 – $47,892 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,892 – $61,956 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,956 – $78,172 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,172 – $88,188 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Richmond
Amid a stable job market with just 5 police officers currently employed in Richmond, the cost-of-living index of 89.3 suggests a more favorable purchasing power compared to national averages. Local law enforcement agencies, particularly municipal departments, typically lead in compensation, but variances can arise based on factors such as agency type, special assignments, and the presence of union contracts. Officers might capitalize on growth opportunities by pursuing additional certifications or specializations, as various Virginia agencies offer educational incentives that can enhance pay. Given this backdrop, aspiring or current officers should focus on maximizing their skills and considering potential assignments in specialized units to boost their earning potential in Richmond, KY, effectively navigating the nuances of police officer pay in the region.
More salary data for Richmond, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $60,116 for police officersin the Richmond 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 Richmond 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