Police Officer Hourly Pay in Cary, NC: $32.47 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Cary, NC runs $32.47 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,553 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Cary's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,528 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cary, North Carolina, a police officer's median hourly pay is projected to be $32.47 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $37.76. This disparity indicates that officers in Cary may face a challenging financial environment, especially when considering part-time opportunities or per-diem positions, which often see police officers working in various roles, from patrolling neighborhoods and responding to emergency calls to serving in courtrooms or specialized operations. The hourly wage range for police officers in Cary spans from $20.96 at the entry-level to around $50.34 for the highest earners, reflecting the comprehensive skill set and experience levels required in different assignment settings. This data sheds light on how police officer hourly pay in Cary compares within the broader context of North Carolina’s law enforcement landscape.
About the Cary Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.96 | $167.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.65 | $205.21 |
| Median (P50) | $32.47 | $259.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.27 | $330.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.34 | $402.76 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cary
Based on $32.47/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.47/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cary, NC can expect to earn approximately $67,546 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,969. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cary.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cary
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,298.97 | $5,629 | $67,546 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $779.38 | $3,377 | $40,528 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $519.59 | $2,252 | $27,019 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Cary) | $32.47 |
| 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 Cary, NC earn a median of $67,553 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.99% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 11.90% above the North Carolina state average of $60,369.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.47/hr = $40,528/year (purchasing power: $43,299).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,546/year (purchasing power: $72,165).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.11/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.47/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Cary (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.11/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.10/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.71/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.20/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.89/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.52/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.47/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.47/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Cary grew 20.7% from $26.11/hr (2019) to $31.51/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.47/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 Cary 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 Cary
Working part-time as a police officer in Cary, one earning $32.47 an hour for three 8-hour shifts each week could expect an annual take-home amount of roughly $25,370, significantly less than full-time colleagues. However, full-time officers often accrue overtime pay at 1.5 times their base rate, which can lead to a considerable increase in their overall earnings, often adding an additional 20-50% for extended shifts or special assignments. The variation in hourly rates across Cary’s law enforcement agencies—ranging from municipal departments to federal organizations—provides options for officers considering the trade-off between base pay and benefits like health insurance. Due to the competitive nature of police officer hourly pay in NC, successful negotiation can hinge on understanding the unique dynamics at play, such as the range of benefits offered, overtime opportunities, and the need for specialized training in high-demand roles.
More salary data for Cary, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for police officers in Cary in 2026?
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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 Cary. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cary is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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