📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Police Officer Salary in North Carolina (2026)

North Carolina · 9.0% below national average · Medium Demand

Average
$65,775
per year
Median
$60,078
per year
Hourly
$31.62
per hour
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$42,671
25th Percentile — Junior$54,689
50th Percentile — Median$60,078
75th Percentile — Senior$81,728
90th Percentile — Top Earners$91,774
💡 Top-earning Police Officers in North Carolina make up to $91,774 per year. The job market in North Carolina is rated strong, with key industries including Technology, Finance, Agriculture.
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Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$61.1k
2021
$62.0k
2022
$62.9k
2023
$63.8k
2024
$64.8k
2025
$65.8k
2026
📈 Police Officer salaries in North Carolina have followed the national trend with 1.5% annual growth. The strong presence in North Carolina's job market supports continued salary increases.
🗺️
Police Officer Salary by City in North Carolina
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Charlotte $63,144 -4.0% Medium
Raleigh $64,460 -2.0% Medium
Greensboro $59,198 -10.0% Medium
Durham $63,802 -3.0% Medium
Winston-Salem $57,224 -13.0% Medium
🔍
Police Officer Job Market in North Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation

North Carolina is home to a strong job market for Police Officers. The state's key industries — Technology, Finance, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $65,775 per year, North Carolina's Police Officer salaries are 9.0% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in North Carolina (index: 0.91) makes salaries stretch further than in higher-cost states. Entry-level professionals in North Carolina can expect to earn $42,671–$54,689, while experienced Police Officers can command $81,728–$91,774.

Looking ahead, the Police Officer profession in North Carolina is projected to grow at 1.5% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Technology continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
⚖️
Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Police Officer salary in North Carolina is $65,775 per year in 2026, which is 9.0% below the national average of $72,280.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Police Officers the highest wages in North Carolina due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • North Carolina has a strong job market with major industries in Technology, Finance, Agriculture. This makes it one of the better states for Police Officer employment.
  • At $65,775/year, North Carolina Police Officer salaries are 9.0% lower than the national average of $72,280/year.