Police Officer Salary in Kirkwood, MO: $60,468 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Kirkwood, MO earns a median $60,468/year (≈ $29.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Kirkwood's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $67,487 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For police officers in Kirkwood, Missouri, the projected median annual salary in 2026 will be $60,468, which reflects ongoing efforts to make public service a more attractive career path. This figure falls significantly below the national median of $78,542, highlighting a regional wage disparity that can impact local recruitment and retention. The salary range for officers in Kirkwood is expected to extend from $38,834 at the 10th percentile to $89,075 at the 90th percentile, emphasizing the variability in compensation based on experience, tenure, and specific roles within the force. These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data, adjusted for local cost conditions, which is particularly relevant in a city with a cost of living index of 89.6, suggesting a financial environment where salaries must be carefully evaluated against local purchasing power.
About the Kirkwood Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,834 | $18.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,285 | $22.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,468 | $29.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,821 | $36.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,075 | $42.82 |
Median Salary Position
23.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kirkwood
In Kirkwood, MO, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,241 (2026 est.). At $60,468, the local median is 23.01% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kirkwood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kirkwood Police Officer Pay Compares
Kirkwood median: $60,468/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kirkwood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $60,956 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -23.01% less |
Police Officers in Kirkwood, MO earn a median of $60,468 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.01% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 0.80% below the Missouri state average of $60,956.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kirkwood has a cost of living 10.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kirkwood, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $60,468 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,487 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,618
2025 BLS Actual
$58,673
2026 Current Est.
$60,468
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Kirkwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,618 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,458 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,742 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,651 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,647 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,874 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,673 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,468 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,319 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kirkwood metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $48,618 (2019) to $58,673 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,319 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,701 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kirkwood 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) | $38,834 – $47,285 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,285 – $60,468 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,468 – $76,821 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,821 – $89,075 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Kirkwood
Examining the local job market, with only five police officers currently employed in Kirkwood, competition for positions may be relatively low, impacting overall pay dynamics. The cost of living index suggests that take-home pay must stretch further for officers in this area, as a significant portion of income is consumed by fundamental living expenses. Among local employers, municipal police departments are typically the primary source of law enforcement jobs, but higher salaries may be available with state police or federal agencies, which often offer better pay and benefits. Factors contributing to the salary spread include agency type, with federal positions generally commanding higher pay, and the influence of union contracts that can provide additional incentives like overtime and educational stipends. For those looking to increase their earnings, seeking opportunities within specialized units, or pursuing advanced training can be effective strategies in the Kirkwood market.
More salary data for Kirkwood, MO:
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 $58,673 for police officersin the Kirkwood 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 Kirkwood 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