Police Officer Salary in Kenosha, WI: $81,191 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Kenosha, WI earns a median $81,191/year (≈ $39.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Kenosha's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.1), that paycheck buys what $80,293 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Kenosha, Wisconsin, police officers can expect a median annual salary of $81,191 in 2026, reflecting an upward trend from previous years and aligning closely with broader national averages, which are projected at $78,542. Officers in Kenosha earn between $80,438 and $95,969, depending on qualifications and experience, based on information from official BLS OEWS surveys. This pay structure is influenced by a pension multiplier formula that benefits long-term public servants, enhancing their retirement compensation based on their years of service and average salary. Local job market dynamics suggest that the relatively competitive police officer pay in Kenosha is an enticing factor for prospective candidates, ensuring the city attracts talent amidst ongoing discussions about police funding and community relations.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,438 | $38.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,438 | $38.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,191 | $39.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,487 | $43.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,969 | $46.14 |
Median Salary Position
3.37% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kenosha
In Kenosha, WI, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,531 (2026 est.). At $81,191, the local median is 3.37% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kenosha: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Kenosha Police Officer Pay Compares
Kenosha median: $81,191/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kenosha Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $80,546 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +3.37% more |
Police Officers in Kenosha, WI earn a median of $81,191 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.37% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 0.80% above the Wisconsin state average of $80,546.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kenosha has a cost of living 1.12% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kenosha, WI has a cost-of-living index of 101.118 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $81,191 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $80,293 — a 1.11% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,280
2025 BLS Actual
$78,780
2026 Current Est.
$81,191
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Kenosha (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,280 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,750 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,789 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,009 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,717 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,580 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,780 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,191 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,675 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kenosha metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $65,280 (2019) to $78,780 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,675 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,395 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kenosha 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) | $80,438 – $80,438 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,438 – $81,191 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,191 – $89,487 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,487 – $95,969 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Kenosha
With 360 police officers currently employed in the area, Kenosha's job market for law enforcement appears stable, supported by a cost of living index of 101.118, which indicates that living expenses are slightly above the national average. This cost of living can slightly affect the purchasing power of police officer salaries. Among local employers, municipal police departments often offer the most competitive compensation packages, but opportunities exist within county sheriff's offices and even federal agencies, which typically pay higher salaries. The disparity in police officer pay in Kenosha is driven by various factors including agency type, pension benefits, special unit assignments, and educational incentives that provide additional pay boosts. To maximize earning potential, officers can seek advanced training, specialized roles, and consider the impact of shift differentials and overtime opportunities to enhance their overall compensation in the competitive law enforcement landscape of Kenosha, WI.
More salary data for Kenosha, WI:
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 $78,780 for police officersin the Kenosha 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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