Police Officer Salary

Greenville vs Simpsonville: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Greenville, SC and Simpsonville, SC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Greenville, SC
$59,548
$28.63/hr
Simpsonville, SC
$58,068
$27.92/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGreenville, SCSimpsonville, SC
Median Salary$59,548$58,068
Hourly Rate$28.63$27.92
Entry Level (P10)$48,284$38,618
25th Percentile$51,355$46,271
75th Percentile$62,568$72,801
Top Earner (P90)$77,563$82,973
Total Employed1,9105
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Greenville ($59,548) and Simpsonville ($58,068) police officer salaries.GreenvilleSimpsonvilleMedian Salary$59,548$58,068Entry Level (P10)$48,284$38,618Top Earner (P90)$77,563$82,973US Median $78,542

Verdict

Greenville, SC offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Simpsonville.

The salary gap between Greenville and Simpsonville is $1,480 (2.55%). Greenville's median is -24.18% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Greenville spans $29,279,Simpsonville spans $44,355. Simpsonville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

Greenville
P10 (Entry)$48,284
P25$51,355
Median$59,548
P75$62,568
P90 (Top)$77,563
Simpsonville
P10 (Entry)$38,618
P25$46,271
Median$58,068
P75$72,801
P90 (Top)$82,973

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Greenville ($63,852 effective) pays 0.61% more than Simpsonville ($63,462 effective).

Greenville
Nominal: $59,548
CoL Index: 93.26
Adjusted: $63,852
Simpsonville
Nominal: $58,068
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $63,462

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Greenville if…

  • Higher median salary ($59,548/year)
  • Larger job market (1,910 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,852)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Simpsonville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($82,973)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Greenville grew 37.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 23.0% growth in Simpsonville over the same period.

Greenville, SC

+37.8%

$41,930 (2019) → $57,780 (2025)

Simpsonville, SC

+23.0%

$45,818 (2024) → $56,344 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Greenville or Simpsonville?

Greenville has a higher median police officer salary at $59,548/year, compared to Simpsonville at $58,068/year — a difference of $1,480 (2.55%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Greenville and Simpsonville?

Greenville police officers earn $28.63/hr while Simpsonville hygienists earn $27.92/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Greenville to Simpsonville as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Greenville and Simpsonville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Greenville = $63,852, Simpsonville = $63,462), job availability (1,910 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Greenville vs Simpsonville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $48,284 in Greenville and $38,618 in Simpsonville. The Greenville area offers higher starting salaries.
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