Police Officer Hourly Pay in High Point, NC: $29.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in High Point, NC runs $29.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,726 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against High Point's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.70 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,029 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In High Point, North Carolina, the police officer hourly pay is projected to be $29.67 in 2026. This rate is significantly below the national median of $37.76 per hour, highlighting regional disparities within law enforcement compensation. For part-time officers working a typical three-day workweek, this translates to a gross income that may suffice for basic living, but may limit financial mobility given the higher cost of living elsewhere. The hourly range for police officers in High Point spans from $18.70 at the entry-level to up to $46.00 for more experienced officers, reflecting the varying roles across different assignments such as patrol, investigations, and specialized units. The figures are derived from annual salary estimates, yet they serve to inform an understanding of wage expectations in the local law enforcement landscape.
About the High Point 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) | $18.70 | $149.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.05 | $184.44 |
| Median (P50) | $29.67 | $237.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.99 | $303.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.00 | $367.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in High Point
Based on $29.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.67/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in High Point, NC can expect to earn approximately $61,716 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,605. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in High Point.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in High Point
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,186.84 | $5,143 | $61,716 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $712.10 | $3,086 | $37,029 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $474.74 | $2,057 | $24,686 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (High Point) | $29.67 |
| 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 High Point, NC earn a median of $61,726 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.41% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 2.30% above the North Carolina state average of $60,338.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.67/hr = $37,029/year (purchasing power: $39,561).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,716/year (purchasing power: $65,935).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.86/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.67/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in High Point (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.86/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.76/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.41/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.85/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.31/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.27/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.67/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.58/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in High Point grew 20.7% from $23.86/hr (2019) to $28.79/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.58/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 High Point 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 High Point
Analyzing hourly compensation reveals unique opportunities and challenges for police officers in High Point. For a part-time officer working 24 hours a week, the potential annual earnings would only reach about $36,000—not a livable wage when compared to full-time officers. Furthermore, the scope of per diem police officer pay in High Point may offer flexible avenues for additional income, particularly through off-duty assignments that can command rates from $35 to $75 per hour. Many officers opt for overtime during court appearances and special duties, which can increase their earnings considerably. However, the trade-off often includes benefits packages, which are frequently deemed essential compared to higher hourly wages without employer-sponsored health insurance. Municipal departments, sheriff's offices, and federal agencies will each present different structures of hourly pay, so understanding the specifics of each can aid officers in their career decisions. Negotiation tactics should center on holistic pay and benefits discussions, which can help ensure that officers secure a compensation package that truly supports their needs and sacrifices.
More salary data for High Point, 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 High Point. 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 High Point 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