Police Officer Salary in Kent, WA: $102,684 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Kent, WA earns a median $102,684/year (≈ $49.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Kent's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $95,609 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officers in Kent, Washington, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $102,684, significantly above the national median of $78,542. Salary data shows a range from $65,278 at the 10th percentile to $159,160 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a considerable variation in compensation that reflects different agency types and responsibilities. Officers employed locally may find their earnings competitive, particularly within the municipal sphere, as these figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional economic factors. Given the structured nature of law enforcement pay in Kent, preferences for positions at various jurisdictional levels may lead to divergent earnings among officers.
About the Kent Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,278 | $31.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,246 | $38.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,684 | $49.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $131,436 | $63.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $159,160 | $76.52 |
Median Salary Position
30.74% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kent
In Kent, WA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $93,882 (2026 est.). At $102,684, the local median is 30.74% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kent: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kent Police Officer Pay Compares
Kent median: $102,684/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kent Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $102,890 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +30.74% more |
Police Officers in Kent, WA earn a median of $102,684 per year (2026 est.), which is 30.74% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 0.20% below the Washington state average of $102,890.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kent has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kent, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $102,684 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $95,609 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,561
2025 BLS Actual
$99,635
2026 Current Est.
$102,684
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Kent (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,561 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,685 | Actual |
| 2021 | $84,469 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,012 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,497 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,346 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,635 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,684 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,826 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kent metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $82,561 (2019) to $99,635 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,826 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,265 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kent 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) | $65,278 – $80,246 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,246 – $102,684 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,684 – $131,436 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $131,436 – $159,160 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Kent
The job market for law enforcement in Kent comprises 33 police officers, indicating a niche but stable profession within the local labor force. With a cost-of-living index that stands at 107.4, officers face a purchasing power landscape that is slightly elevated relative to the national average. Agencies such as the local municipal police department typically offer competitive wages, but federal positions (e.g., FBI, DEA) generally provide the highest compensation packages in the area. Factors influencing the salary spectrum include agency types, overtime based on contracts, the availability of specialty assignments, educational incentives, and pension structures that affect long-term financial planning. For those considering a career in law enforcement or seeking to optimize their earnings in Kent, engaging in specialized training, pursuing higher education, or obtaining certifications can be key strategies to achieve a more advantageous pay position within the law enforcement community.
More salary data for Kent, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Kent, WA in 2026?
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Can police officers make $100K in Kent?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted police officer salary in Kent?
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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 $99,635 for police officersin the Kent 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 Kent 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