Police Officer Hourly Pay in Goldsboro, NC: $23.08 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Goldsboro, NC runs $23.08 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,995 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Goldsboro's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.5, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.08 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,798 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Goldsboro, North Carolina, the projected police officer hourly pay stands at $23.08, which is significantly lower than the national median of $37.76 per hour. This disparity underscores the financial realities faced by law enforcement professionals working in smaller municipalities. For part-time officers working three days a week, with shifts totaling around 24 hours, the earnings can be substantial, though lower than their full-time counterparts. The hourly pay range in Goldsboro extends from $20.72 at the entry-level to $37.24 for top earners. These pay numbers are official BLS estimates based on 2025 data, projected to 2026, reflecting the unique economic landscape in which these officers operate, whether on patrol or engaged in specialized units.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.72 | $165.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.83 | $182.62 |
| Median (P50) | $23.08 | $184.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.48 | $235.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.24 | $297.88 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Goldsboro
Based on $23.08/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.08/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Goldsboro, NC can expect to earn approximately $47,996 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,690. With a cost-of-living index of 88.46 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Goldsboro.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Goldsboro
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $923.01 | $4,000 | $47,996 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $553.80 | $2,400 | $28,798 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $369.20 | $1,600 | $19,199 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Goldsboro) | $23.08 |
| 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 Goldsboro, NC earn a median of $47,995 per year (2026 est.), which is 38.89% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 20.50% below the North Carolina state average of $60,371.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.08/hr = $28,798/year (purchasing power: $32,554).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,996/year (purchasing power: $54,256).
CoL index: 88.462 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.39/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.08/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Goldsboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.36/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.91/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.50/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.06/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.39/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.08/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.78/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Goldsboro grew 15.7% from $19.36/hr (2019) to $22.39/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.78/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 Goldsboro 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 Goldsboro
For part-time police officers in Goldsboro, the annual take-home can be quite limited compared to full-time roles, making per diem work appealing. A 24-hour workweek translates into around $29,550 annually, which is considerably less than a full-time officer's earnings. Additionally, because police work often requires mandatory overtime, which could increase earnings by 20-50% depending on special assignments like court appearances, being flexible with hours can lead to improved financial outcomes. In terms of employment type, hourly rates vary significantly depending on whether an officer works for municipal police departments, county sheriff's offices, or federal agencies. Some officers accept lower hourly rates for the benefits, such as health insurance, that a full-time position provides, while others might pursue higher paying per diem police officer pay in Goldsboro without those benefits. Successful negotiation for hourly workers often hinges on emphasizing skill sets developed through POST training and the potential for overtime.
More salary data for Goldsboro, 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 Goldsboro. 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