Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates; State POST commissions and legislatures, State peace officer standards: statutes, administrative rules and POST commission pages. Data captured September 30, 2026.
How to become a deputy sheriff in Kentucky
Deputy sheriffs in Kentucky meet the same statewide minimum standards as police officers, set by Kentucky Law Enforcement Council (KLEC), Peace Officer Professional Standards (POPS); basic training by the Department of Criminal Justice Training (DOCJT): age 21+, 800-hour academy. Citizenship, disqualifiers, fitness and the rules for officers from other states are on the police officer page for Kentucky.
Source: State POST commissions and legislatures, State peace officer standards: statutes, administrative rules and POST commission pages. Data captured October 2, 2026.
Pay in Kentucky, all employers Sourced
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (SOC 33-3051) in Kentucky, all employers combined: BLS state estimates do not separate government from private.
| Measure | KY |
|---|---|
| Workers | 7,890 |
| 10th percentile | $38,780 |
| Median | $60,490 |
| 90th percentile | $77,970 |
| National median, government employers | $76,300 |
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Pension in Kentucky
Local employees: Local police and firefighters
| Plan | Accrual | Normal retirement | Employee pays | Social Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| County Employees Retirement System (CERS) Hazardous - Tier 3 Tier 3 (Hybrid Cash Balance Plan) | — | any age with 25 or more years of service | 8% | Not stated |
The statewide plan a new hire usually joins. Some cities and counties run their own plans; check with the employer. Each plan's formula, vesting, cost-of-living adjustment and retiree health are on the Kentucky pension plans list.
Source: State retirement systems, Official state retirement system pages, member handbooks and statutes. Data captured October 2, 2026.
Employers in Kentucky
120 sheriff's offices in Kentucky.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crime Data Explorer — law-enforcement agencies by state (API). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Free practice tests for Kentucky
Kentucky POST Peace Officer Certification Exam (KLEC)Kentucky exam · free on Open Exam Prep- IPMA-HR / PSHRA Entry-Level Police Officer Test (PO-EL)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- Law Enforcement Aptitude Battery (LEAB)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- National Criminal Justice Officer Selection Inventory (NCJOSI-3)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- National Police Officer Selection Test (POST)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- NTN FrontLine National - Law Enforcement ExamPractice for a named exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- Police Aptitude and Character Test (PACT)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
Source: Open Exam Prep, Open Exam Prep free practice tests. Data captured October 1, 2026. Each link was opened and its exam title checked on the date shown.
More about this job
Requirements, hiring process, training, schedule and day-to-day work are on the national Deputy Sheriff page.
Deputy Sheriff in other states
More government jobs in Kentucky
Kentucky government jobs · Kentucky public pension plans · police officer standards in Kentucky · exam practice in Kentucky