Kansas raises trooper pay to compete with other states
KANSAS (KSNF) — State troopers in Kansas are getting a much-needed raise in pay.
The Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) recently implemented new pay rates for both troopers and capitol police. This includes both Traditional Academy Recruits and Condensed Academy Recruits.
“With the implementation of the new pay rates for both troopers and capitol police, the Kansas Highway Patrol hopes to see a continued increase in applicants for both the Traditional Academy and Condensed Academy (lateral from another law enforcement agency). These new pay rates make the KHP even more competitive throughout the State of Kansas and surrounding areas,” said Captain Candice Breshears with the Kansas Highway Patrol.
Troopers who are currently in the academy will now make $29.73 an hour, or just over $61,000 annually. Upon graduation of the academy, the pay will increase to $32.78 an hour, or just over $68,000 per year.
“This pay increase also included an increase for all current sworn and non-sworn members, which helps to retain and show the value of our current employees,” said Captain Breshears.
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Prior to the salary increase, recruits in the academy were paid $25.68 per hour, and $28.31 per hour upon graduation.
“With more troopers and capitol police within the agency, we can continue making Kansas a safer place to live, work, and travel within. Anytime you increase the number of law enforcement on the roads in Kansas, you increase proactive enforcement of traffic laws which can lead to a decrease in crashes and save lives,” said Captain Breshears.
In Kansas, troopers are placed on a career progression plan with a top-out pay of $46.14 per hour, or just over $95,000 per year.
Despite the new pay increase, Kansas remains below the national average of $69,999 for state trooper salary. However, the salary for troopers with KHP is comparable to those in nearby states, such as Missouri and Oklahoma.
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In neighboring Missouri, the starting annual salary for the Traditional Trooper Recruit — those who enter the Missouri State Highway Patrol Law Enforcement Academy with no prior experience in law enforcement — is $57,984.
Those who enter the Missouri Highway Patrol Academy from another law enforcement agency — known as the Accelerated Trooper Recruit — can expect a starting yearly salary of $58,944.
Troopers in the Show-Me State are granted annual salary increases until reaching the current maximum salary of $88,464. These figures can be found on the Missouri State Highway Patrol website.
Like Kansas and Missouri, compensation for state troopers in Oklahoma is based on rank and the number of years served.
The yearly pay for Oklahoma Highway Patrol Academy cadets is $57,762.79. Upon graduating from the academy, Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) trooper pay increases to $62,069.51.
In Oklahoma, state troopers reach their maximum pay after seven years, with an annual salary of $95,194.57. These figures can be found on the Oklahoma Highway Patrol website.
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