Police Officer Salary in Liberty, MO: $60,085 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Liberty, MO earns a median $60,085/year (≈ $28.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Liberty's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $67,059 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected median police officer salary in Liberty, Missouri, for 2026 is estimated to be $60,085, which is substantially below the national median of $78,542. This disparity highlights the regional pay structure often seen among law enforcement roles at different levels, with federal positions, such as those in the FBI or DEA, typically offering higher compensation than municipal or state roles. In Liberty, salaries range from $37,692 at the lower 10th percentile to $85,628 for those at the 90th percentile, indicating a wide variation based on experience, assignment, and agency type. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions, emphasizing the unique job market dynamics in Liberty.
About the Liberty Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,692 | $18.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,511 | $22.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,085 | $28.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,579 | $35.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,628 | $41.17 |
Median Salary Position
23.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Liberty
In Liberty, MO, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,936 (2026 est.). At $60,085, the local median is 23.5% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Liberty: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Liberty Police Officer Pay Compares
Liberty median: $60,085/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Liberty Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $61,000 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -23.50% less |
Police Officers in Liberty, MO earn a median of $60,085 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.50% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 1.50% below the Missouri state average of $61,000.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Liberty 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.
Liberty, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $60,085 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,059 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,310
2025 BLS Actual
$58,301
2026 Current Est.
$60,085
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Liberty (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,310 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,138 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,427 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,330 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,295 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,565 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,301 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,085 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,924 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Liberty metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $48,310 (2019) to $58,301 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,924 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,614 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Liberty 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) | $37,692 – $46,511 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,511 – $60,085 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,085 – $74,579 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,579 – $85,628 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Liberty
In Liberty, just five police officers are currently employed, which speaks to a relatively small local law enforcement community. The area’s cost-of-living index stands at 89.6, making it more affordable than many urban counterparts, but this can also translate to lower take-home pay and purchasing power. Among the local employers, municipal police departments generally provide the primary law enforcement salaries, with county sheriff's offices occasionally offering more competitive compensation. Factors contributing to salary disparities include the type of agency, overtime pay, special unit assignments, and educational incentives. Police officers in Liberty can maximize their earning potential by seeking roles in specialized units, negotiating union contracts for overtime, and pursuing advanced education for additional pay increases, particularly in a market where financial progression often hinges on securing these benefits.
More salary data for Liberty, 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 $58,301 for police officersin the Liberty 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 Liberty 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