Kentucky ranks 40th of 51 states and D.C. for police and sheriff's patrol officers pay, trailing top-paying California ($115,400) by $55,170 — a 92% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $40,600 to $78,820 — a $38,220 spread, 43% tighter than the national $67,640 range.
Kentucky employs roughly 1.1% of all police and sheriff's patrol officers in the country (7,090 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $40,600 | $19.52 |
| 25th percentile | $48,750 | $23.44 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $60,230 | $28.96 |
| 75th percentile | $67,030 | $32.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,820 | $37.89 |
| Mean (average) | $59,460 | $28.59 |
How Kentucky Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky (current) | $60,230 | n/a |
| California | $115,400 | +92% |
| Washington | $102,640 | +70% |
| Illinois | $101,530 | +69% |
| Alaska | $100,300 | +67% |
| Colorado | $96,100 | +60% |
| New York | $93,050 | +54% |
| Hawaii | $89,390 | +48% |
| New Jersey | $89,030 | +48% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Kentucky
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School | $60,210 | 320 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $60,190 | 410 |
| Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers | $60,180 | 1,610 |
| Food Service Managers | $60,340 | 1,550 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $60,340 | 450 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $60,420 | 12,760 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in Kentucky?
The mean police and sheriff's patrol officers salary in Kentucky is $59,460 per year. The median (middle) salary is $60,230 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Kentucky?
Entry-level police and sheriff's patrol officerss (10th percentile) in Kentucky typically earn around $40,600 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $48,750 per year.
What is the highest Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in Kentucky?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Kentucky make approximately $78,820 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $67,030 per year.
How does the Kentucky Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary compare to the national average?
The median police and sheriff's patrol officers salary in Kentucky is $60,230, which is -21% below national average of $76,290.