Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in Kentucky
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Kentucky earn a median of $60,490 a year ($29.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,890 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,970 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $76,210. Kentucky ranks 39th of 51 states for police and sheriff's patrol officers pay. There are 3.9 police and sheriff's patrol officers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $59,840, close to the median.
Pay range for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,780 | $18.65 |
| 25th percentile | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| Median | $60,490 | $29.08 |
| 75th percentile | $68,990 | $33.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,970 | $37.49 |
| Average (mean) | $59,840 | $28.77 |
Half of police and sheriff's patrol officers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,040.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,520.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,326.54 |
| Weekly | $1,163.27 |
| Hourly | $29.08 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,490 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $80,410 | 3,900 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $63,220 | 2,270 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $61,720 | 1,090 |
| Owensboro, KY | $61,560 | 170 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $60,550 | 360 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $59,730 | 160 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $59,030 | 340 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $57,610 | 730 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $56,130 | 620 |
Highest-paying states for police and sheriff's patrol officers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $118,880 |
| Washington | $102,080 |
| Illinois | $100,520 |
| Alaska | $99,130 |
| Colorado | $97,350 |
| Delaware | $92,970 |
| New York | $92,790 |
| New Jersey | $92,610 |
| District of Columbia | $88,650 |
| Oregon | $88,140 |
See Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers pay in every state.
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $42,310 | $20.34 |
| Bailiff | $30,760 | $14.79 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $71,670 | $34.46 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $54,570 | $26.24 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $45,790 | $22.01 |
| Security Guard | $35,420 | $17.03 |
| Firefighter | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,520 | $13.71 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $80,390 | $38.65 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $60,850 | $29.26 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $50,260 | $24.17 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $62,780 | $30.18 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $46,580 | $22.39 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-3051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a police and sheriff's patrol officers make in Kentucky?
The median salary for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Kentucky is $60,490 a year, or $29.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,970 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid police and sheriff's patrol officers make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of police and sheriff's patrol officers in Kentucky earn at least $77,970 a year. The top 25% earn $68,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,780 a year, and a quarter of police and sheriff's patrol officers earn $47,940 or less.
How many police and sheriff's patrol officers work in Kentucky?
About 7,890 police and sheriff's patrol officers are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.