Police Officer Salary

Apex vs Greensboro: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Apex, NC and Greensboro, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Apex, NC
$60,759
$29.21/hr
Greensboro, NC
$62,691
$30.15/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricApex, NCGreensboro, NC
Median Salary$60,759$62,691
Hourly Rate$29.21$30.15
Entry Level (P10)$37,314$52,344
25th Percentile$48,707$59,290
75th Percentile$76,643$84,045
Top Earner (P90)$89,384$84,045
Total Employed161,700
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Apex ($60,759) and Greensboro ($62,691) police officer salaries.ApexGreensboroMedian Salary$60,759$62,691Entry Level (P10)$37,314$52,344Top Earner (P90)$89,384$84,045US Median $78,542

Verdict

Greensboro, NC offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Apex.

The salary gap between Apex and Greensboro is $1,932 (3.18%). Greensboro's median is -20.18% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Apex spans $52,070,Greensboro spans $31,701. Apex has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Apex
P10 (Entry)$37,314
P25$48,707
Median$60,759
P75$76,643
P90 (Top)$89,384
Greensboro
P10 (Entry)$52,344
P25$59,290
Median$62,691
P75$84,045
P90 (Top)$84,045

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Greensboro ($67,508 effective) pays 4.00% more than Apex ($64,913 effective).

Apex
Nominal: $60,759
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $64,913
Greensboro
Nominal: $62,691
CoL Index: 92.865
Adjusted: $67,508

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Apex if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($89,384)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Greensboro if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,691/year)
  • Larger job market (1,700 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,508)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Apex grew 20.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 28.3% growth in Greensboro over the same period.

Apex, NC

+20.3%

$49,001 (2024) → $58,955 (2025)

Greensboro, NC

+28.3%

$47,400 (2019) → $60,830 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Apex or Greensboro?

Greensboro has a higher median police officer salary at $62,691/year, compared to Apex at $60,759/year — a difference of $1,932 (3.18%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Apex and Greensboro?

Apex police officers earn $29.21/hr while Greensboro hygienists earn $30.15/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Apex to Greensboro as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Apex and Greensboro. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Apex = $64,913, Greensboro = $67,508), job availability (16 vs 1,700 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Apex vs Greensboro?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $37,314 in Apex and $52,344 in Greensboro. The Greensboro area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in law enforcement. They specialize in community policing strategies. Jordan works with a municipal police department.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.06% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice, a licensed police officer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov