Police Officers Pay Range in North Carolina
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$46,040
- 25th Percentile — Junior$49,460
- 50th Percentile — Median$59,300
- 75th Percentile — Senior$72,700
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$80,240
Half of Police Officers in North Carolina earn more than $59,300. The top 10% make $80,240 or more, while entry-level workers start around $46,040.
Police Officers in North Carolina: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- North Carolina ranks 43rd of 51 states for Police Officers pay, at $61,390 per year (22.5% below the U.S. average of $79,200).
- 22,370 people work as Police Officers in North Carolina — 3.3% of all U.S. Police Officers jobs.
- Location quotient 1.05: Police Officers jobs are more concentrated in North Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $46,040; the top 10% earn over $80,240.
- Hourly equivalent: $29.51 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is California at $112,980.
- Among public safety jobs in North Carolina, First-Line Supervisors of Police pays the most ($91,280).
Police Officers Job Market in North Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation
North Carolina's key industries are Technology, Finance, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Police Officers here earn $61,390 on average, placing the state 43rd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.91 (U.S. = 1.00), a North Carolina salary of $61,390 is roughly equivalent to $67,462 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Oklahoma ($63,120), Missouri ($62,520), Tennessee ($61,830) are the closest alternatives for Police Officers weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Public Safety Jobs in North Carolina
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $91,280/yr North Carolina +48.7% vs this role
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators $76,020/yr North Carolina +23.8% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $69,510/yr North Carolina +13.2% vs this role
- Private Detectives and Investigators $61,350/yr North Carolina 0.1% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $51,390/yr North Carolina 16.3% vs this role
- Firefighters $43,060/yr North Carolina 29.9% vs this role
- Security Guards $39,090/yr North Carolina 36.3% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Police Officers salary in North Carolina?
The average Police Officers salary in North Carolina is $61,390 per year (median $59,300), which is 22.5% below the national average of $79,200.
How does North Carolina rank for Police Officers pay?
North Carolina ranks 43rd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is California ($112,980/yr).
How much do entry-level Police Officers make in North Carolina?
The lowest-paid 10% of Police Officers in North Carolina earn about $46,040 per year and the 25th percentile is $49,460.
How much do Police Officers make per hour in North Carolina?
About $29.51 per hour, based on the $61,390 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Police Officers work in North Carolina?
BLS counts 22,370 Police Officers jobs in North Carolina (OEWS May 2025).
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