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State comparison · 2025

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary: California vs Kentucky

Occupation

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in California earn a median of $118,880. In Kentucky, $60,490. After cost-of-living, the gap is 60.1% — not 96.5%.

Nominal pay gap
+96.5%
California vs Kentucky
COL-adjusted gap
+60.1%
After BEA Regional Price Parities

California

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

Median
$118,880
p25
$97,280
p75
$126,780
p10
$76,300
p90
$153,190
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
110.7
See full breakdown for California

Kentucky

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

Median
$60,490
p25
$47,940
p75
$68,990
p10
$38,780
p90
$77,970
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
90.2
See full breakdown for Kentucky

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.