Police Officer Hourly Pay in Fuquay-Varina, NC: $28.52 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Fuquay-Varina, NC runs $28.52 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,316 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Fuquay-Varina's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,589 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fuquay-Varina, NC, the projected median hourly pay for police officers in 2026 stands at $28.52, significantly below the national median hourly rate of $37.76. This difference means that officers working part-time—say, three days a week—may find themselves earning less than their counterparts in larger urban areas, impacting their economic stability. Per-diem police officer pay in Fuquay-Varina varies, but can generally be expected to fall within an hourly range of $17.88 at the entry level to about $40.49 for experienced officers. Working environments can include patrol vehicles on assigned beats, police stations for report writing, and courtrooms for testimonies, all of which require officers to be adaptable and prepared to handle diverse situations. These hourly rates are derived from annual salaries that reflect both the responsibilities of the role and the local cost of living index, which currently stands at 93.6, indicating a relatively affordable living situation compared to national averages.
About the Fuquay-Varina 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) | $17.88 | $143.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.09 | $184.68 |
| Median (P50) | $28.52 | $228.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.31 | $282.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.49 | $323.94 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fuquay-Varina
Based on $28.52/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.52/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fuquay-Varina, NC can expect to earn approximately $59,315 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,220. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fuquay-Varina.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fuquay-Varina
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,140.67 | $4,943 | $59,315 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $684.40 | $2,966 | $35,589 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $456.27 | $1,977 | $23,726 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Fuquay-Varina) | $28.52 |
| 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 Fuquay-Varina, NC earn a median of $59,316 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.48% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 1.70% below the North Carolina state average of $60,342.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.52/hr = $35,589/year (purchasing power: $38,022).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,315/year (purchasing power: $63,370).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.93/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.52/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Fuquay-Varina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.93/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.46/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.24/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.52/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Fuquay-Varina grew 20.7% from $22.93/hr (2019) to $27.67/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.39/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 Fuquay-Varina 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 Fuquay-Varina
Within the field of law enforcement, part-time officers in Fuquay-Varina can expect to take home significantly less annually than their full-time peers, especially if they work fewer hours due to the structured salary model of policing that often emphasizes mandatory overtime. The earnings potential for per-diem and overtime assignments can considerably influence overall compensation, as extra-duty assignments like event security can pay anywhere from $35 to $75 per hour. The type of employer also plays a critical role in establishing hourly pay rates; municipal departments may offer different pay scales compared to county sheriff’s offices, state police, or even federal law enforcement entities like the FBI. Additionally, some officers may opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits such as health insurance. Negotiating effective pay and work conditions may require understanding local hiring practices and being aware of the trade-offs between pay and benefits, especially for those navigating police officer hourly pay Fuquay-Varina.
More salary data for Fuquay-Varina, 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 Fuquay-Varina. 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 Fuquay-Varina 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