Police Officer Hourly Pay in Burlington, NC: $32.56 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Burlington, NC runs $32.56 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,710 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Burlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,631 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Burlington, North Carolina, the projected police officer hourly pay stands at $32.56, which reflects a marked difference from the national median hourly rate of $37.76. This variance indicates that the local police force, primarily engaged in responsibilities such as routine patrolling, report writing, and providing court testimonies, may earn less compared to other regions. For officers working part-time—perhaps on a 3-day-per-week schedule—this translates to a pay structure that can still be quite robust. The hourly range for police officers in Burlington stretches from $27.57 for entry-level positions to as much as $41.22 for those at the higher end of the scale, highlighting the potential for career advancement within the department. These hourly wages, based on 2025 BLS OEWS projections for 2026, showcase those either pursuing full-time roles or looking at per diem police officer pay in Burlington to consider their financial outlook realistically.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.57 | $220.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.83 | $238.60 |
| Median (P50) | $32.56 | $260.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.95 | $295.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.22 | $329.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burlington
Based on $32.56/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.56/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burlington, NC can expect to earn approximately $67,718 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,068. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Burlington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burlington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,302.27 | $5,643 | $67,718 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $781.36 | $3,386 | $40,631 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $520.91 | $2,257 | $27,087 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Burlington) | $32.56 |
| Firefighter (National Avg) | $28.13 |
| Detective / Criminal Investigator (National Avg) | $45.86 |
| Correctional Officer (National Avg) | $25.24 |
| Security Guard (National Avg) | $17.32 |
Police Officers in Burlington, NC earn a median of $67,710 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.79% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 12.20% above the North Carolina state average of $60,348.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.56/hr = $40,631/year (purchasing power: $43,597).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,718/year (purchasing power: $72,662).
CoL index: 93.196 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.79/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.56/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.79/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.75/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.99/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.84/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.89/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.56/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.55/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Burlington grew 38.6% from $22.79/hr (2019) to $31.59/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.55/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem police officers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.06% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Police Officer in Burlington
Assessing the annual income for part-time police officers, working just 24 hours a week might lead to earnings that could reach approximately $40,000, contrasting significantly with a full-time officer's income. Additionally, the realities of per diem or agency assignments can often alter expected earnings, as police work frequently involves mandatory overtime, potentially elevating earnings by 20-50% during court appearances or critical operations. Officers might engage in off-duty assignments at rates ranging from $35 to $75 per hour, depending on the nature and level of risk associated with these tasks. Those employed within municipal departments may earn differently compared to officers in county sheriffs or federal agencies, where roles are often accompanied by various benefits. Negotiating terms while considering pay against the backdrop of health benefits can be essential, particularly in Burlington's economic environment, where some may prioritize immediate hourly rates over comprehensive compensation packages that provide long-term security in their law enforcement careers.
More salary data for Burlington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for police officers in Burlington. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for police officers (SOC 33-3051).
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