Police Officer Salary in Kettering, OH: $77,585 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Kettering, OH earns a median $77,585/year (≈ $37.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Kettering's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $85,540 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.4% above the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kettering, Ohio, police officers will see a median annual salary projected at $77,585 for 2026, which positions them slightly below the national median of $78,542. The expected salary range for officers varies significantly, from $49,763 at the 10th percentile to as high as $120,008 for those at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price levels, reflect the local market's unique economic conditions. Factors such as agency type and the increasing demand for law enforcement professionals in urban settings versus rural areas play a significant role in shaping officer compensation in Kettering.
About the Kettering Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,763 | $23.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,063 | $29.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,585 | $37.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,309 | $47.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $120,008 | $57.69 |
Median Salary Position
1.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kettering
In Kettering, OH, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $70,245 (2026 est.). At $77,585, the local median is 1.22% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kettering: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kettering Police Officer Pay Compares
Kettering median: $77,585/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kettering Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $74,315 | +4.40% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | -1.22% less |
Police Officers in Kettering, OH earn a median of $77,585 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.22% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 4.40% above the Ohio state average of $74,315.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kettering has a cost of living 9.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kettering, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $77,585 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $85,540 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,380
2025 BLS Actual
$75,281
2026 Current Est.
$77,585
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Kettering (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,380 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,741 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,822 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,988 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,399 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,236 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,281 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,585 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,959 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kettering metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $62,380 (2019) to $75,281 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,959 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,579 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kettering 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) | $49,763 – $61,063 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,063 – $77,585 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,585 – $99,309 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,309 – $120,008 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Kettering
Within Kettering, a modest police force employs only 10 officers, which means competition for roles can be limited, yet this also indicates stability in employment. The cost of living index for the area is set at 90.7, suggesting that while salaries may seem lower relative to other regions, officers' purchasing power may offer more value overall. Typically, the highest salaries in law enforcement are found in federal positions such as those in the FBI or DEA, with local municipal departments like those in Kettering tending to offer lower pay in comparison. Factors driving the range of earnings include union agreements that establish overtime pay, shift differentials, and the potential for educational incentives. Officers looking to enhance their pay in Kettering might consider specialized assignments, additional training, or roles in federal agencies, which not only pay higher but also offer robust pension plans that can significantly affect retiree incomes.
More salary data for Kettering, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $75,281 for police officersin the Kettering 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 Kettering 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