Polygraph Examiner III pay range
Commonwealth of Kentucky · class code 20000705
- Class code
- 20000705
- Pay grade
- 15
- Pay unit
- Month
- Alternate ranges
- 3
- State
- Kentucky
- The Commonwealth of Kentucky published pay range for Polygraph Examiner III is $4,040 to $6,464 per month, spanning every alternate range the plan defines.
- Kentucky publishes an entry rate and a midpoint for each pay grade, not a maximum, so the upper figure on this page is the grade midpoint.
- That works out to about $48,483 to $77,574 a year at full time.
- Kentucky Personnel Cabinet keys this classification as class code 20000705.
- The plan defines 3 alternate ranges for this class, so the rate depends on which criteria an employee meets.
- This is the range the plan authorises, not the salary of any individual employee.
Alternate ranges
| Range | Entry | Midpoint | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Range 37.5-hour week | $4,040 | $6,060 | per month |
| Range 40-hour week | $4,310 | $6,464 | per month |
| Range Hourly | $24.86 | $37.30 | per hour |
Which alternate range applies is set by the plan's own criteria (experience, certification or assignment). The criteria text lives in the source document.
Class specification
The Personnel Cabinet class specification for this class is published by Kentucky Personnel Cabinet. The passages below are quoted from it as published, not paraphrased, and cut to their opening sentences; the full specification is the authority on duties and qualifications. It was last revised 10/16/2023.
What the state says the job is
Performs duties in the use of polygraph instruments to detect deception in, or verify the truthfulness of, statements made by witnesses, victims, suspects, and accused persons involved in criminal investigations or pre-employment screenings. Provides training classes to the Kentucky State Police Academy and other agencies on polygraph requirements procedures.; and performs other duties as required.
Examples of the work
Supervises a training program for trainee examiners. Ensures all training materials are up to date and in line with standard operating procedures. Presents training classes about polygraph to the agency recruit classes and other agencies. May act as quality control monitor of polygraph exams. Oversees and directs the Polygraph Examiners in the absence of the Polygraph Program Manager. Assures that staff adheres to all Kentucky State Police and polygraph unit policies. Conducts a daily review of all typed reports by examiners before they are sent to law enforcement agencies and Commonwealth Attorneys.
Minimum qualifications
EDUCATION: Must have two years (54 semester hours) from a college or university. EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, OR SKILLS: Must have four years of experience as a polygraph examiner. Substitute EDUCATION for EXPERIENCE: NONE Substitute EXPERIENCE for EDUCATION: Experience in active military duty or as a Kentucky Polygraph Examiner or as a sworn law enforcement officer will substitute for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
Special requirements
Must possess a certificate of graduation from a school accredited by the American Polygraph Association. Kentucky Revised Statutes - Chapter 329 Must obtain required Kentucky Polygraph License within thirty days of employment.
Quoted from the Personnel Cabinet class specification, read 2026-10-21.
Where this comes from
Kentucky Personnel Cabinet publishes this figure in Classified and Unclassified 37.5 and 40-Hour Salary Schedule, effective September 16, 2026. Every number on this page is read from that document; nothing is estimated, modelled or averaged.
Job titles and their pay grades come from the Job Specification Search, joined to the salary schedule.
Nearby classes in Kentucky
Polygraph Examiner III in other states
| State | Entry | Midpoint | Per year at full time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $93,984 | $142,068 | $93,984 to $142,068 |
Each state publishes its own range for a classification with this exact title. Duties, grade structures and bargaining units differ between states, so read each class page before comparing.