Police Officers Pay Range in South Carolina
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$45,060
- 25th Percentile — Junior$48,570
- 50th Percentile — Median$58,070
- 75th Percentile — Senior$68,190
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$78,760
Half of Police Officers in South Carolina earn more than $58,070. The top 10% make $78,760 or more, while entry-level workers start around $45,060.
Police Officers in South Carolina: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- South Carolina ranks 44th of 51 states for Police Officers pay, at $60,420 per year (23.7% below the U.S. average of $79,200).
- 12,930 people work as Police Officers in South Carolina — 1.9% of all U.S. Police Officers jobs.
- Location quotient 1.30: Police Officers jobs are more concentrated in South Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $45,060; the top 10% earn over $78,760.
- Hourly equivalent: $29.05 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is California at $112,980.
- Among public safety jobs in South Carolina, First-Line Supervisors of Police pays the most ($81,260).
Police Officers Job Market in South Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation
South Carolina's key industries are Automotive, Tourism, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated strong. Police Officers here earn $60,420 on average, placing the state 44th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Carolina salary of $60,420 is roughly equivalent to $68,659 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Missouri ($62,520), Tennessee ($61,830), Kansas ($61,450) 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 South Carolina
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $81,260/yr South Carolina +34.5% vs this role
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators $77,020/yr South Carolina +27.5% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $70,880/yr South Carolina +17.3% vs this role
- Private Detectives and Investigators $58,980/yr South Carolina 2.4% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $51,520/yr South Carolina 14.7% vs this role
- Firefighters $43,900/yr South Carolina 27.3% vs this role
- Security Guards $37,060/yr South Carolina 38.7% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Police Officers salary in South Carolina?
The average Police Officers salary in South Carolina is $60,420 per year (median $58,070), which is 23.7% below the national average of $79,200.
How does South Carolina rank for Police Officers pay?
South Carolina ranks 44th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is California ($112,980/yr).
How much do entry-level Police Officers make in South Carolina?
The lowest-paid 10% of Police Officers in South Carolina earn about $45,060 per year and the 25th percentile is $48,570.
How much do Police Officers make per hour in South Carolina?
About $29.05 per hour, based on the $60,420 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Police Officers work in South Carolina?
BLS counts 12,930 Police Officers jobs in South Carolina (OEWS May 2025).
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