Police Officer Salary

Greensboro vs Jacksonville: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

Greensboro, NC
$62,691
$30.15/hr
Jacksonville, NC
$61,362
$29.51/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGreensboro, NCJacksonville, NC
Median Salary$62,691$61,362
Hourly Rate$30.15$29.51
Entry Level (P10)$52,344$47,480
25th Percentile$59,290$49,912
75th Percentile$84,045$61,784
Top Earner (P90)$84,045$75,564
Total Employed1,700440
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Greensboro ($62,691) and Jacksonville ($61,362) police officer salaries.GreensboroJacksonvilleMedian Salary$62,691$61,362Entry Level (P10)$52,344$47,480Top Earner (P90)$84,045$75,564US Median $78,542

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Greensboro and Jacksonville is $1,329 (2.17%). 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 Greensboro spans $31,701,Jacksonville spans $28,084. Greensboro has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Greensboro
P10 (Entry)$52,344
P25$59,290
Median$62,691
P75$84,045
P90 (Top)$84,045
Jacksonville
P10 (Entry)$47,480
P25$49,912
Median$61,362
P75$61,784
P90 (Top)$75,564

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Greensboro ($67,508 effective) pays 1.31% more than Jacksonville ($66,636 effective).

Greensboro
Nominal: $62,691
CoL Index: 92.865
Adjusted: $67,508
Jacksonville
Nominal: $61,362
CoL Index: 92.085
Adjusted: $66,636

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Greensboro if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,691/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($84,045)
  • Larger job market (1,700 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,508)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Jacksonville if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Greensboro grew 28.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 31.3% growth in Jacksonville over the same period.

Greensboro, NC

+28.3%

$47,400 (2019) → $60,830 (2025)

Jacksonville, NC

+31.3%

$45,340 (2019) → $59,540 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Greensboro or Jacksonville?

Greensboro has a higher median police officer salary at $62,691/year, compared to Jacksonville at $61,362/year — a difference of $1,329 (2.17%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Greensboro and Jacksonville?

Greensboro police officers earn $30.15/hr while Jacksonville hygienists earn $29.51/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Greensboro and Jacksonville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Greensboro = $67,508, Jacksonville = $66,636), job availability (1,700 vs 440 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $52,344 in Greensboro and $47,480 in Jacksonville. 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