Police Officer Hourly Pay in Jacksonville, NC: $29.51 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Jacksonville, NC runs $29.51 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,362 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Jacksonville's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.1, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.04 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,824 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Jacksonville, North Carolina, the police officer hourly pay is projected to be $29.51 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national hourly median of $37.76. This hourly rate is reflective of the compensation for various work settings, including patrol units, police stations, and specialized operations like SWAT teams. For part-time officers working three days a week, primarily around 24 hours, this translates into a consistent income stream that many balance with other pursuits. On the other end of the spectrum, top earners in the bustling environment of Jacksonville can reach hourly wages of $36.33, making the pay range for entry to seasoned professionals fluctuate from $22.83 to $36.33. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, providing an official glance at the landscape of police officer wages in the area.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.83 | $182.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.99 | $191.94 |
| Median (P50) | $29.51 | $236.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.70 | $237.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.33 | $290.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Jacksonville
Based on $29.51/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.51/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Jacksonville, NC can expect to earn approximately $61,373 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,407. With a cost-of-living index of 92.08 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Jacksonville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Jacksonville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,180.24 | $5,114 | $61,373 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $708.15 | $3,069 | $36,824 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $472.10 | $2,046 | $24,549 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Jacksonville) | $29.51 |
| 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 Jacksonville, NC earn a median of $61,362 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.87% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 1.70% above the North Carolina state average of $60,336.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.51/hr = $36,824/year (purchasing power: $39,989).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,373/year (purchasing power: $66,648).
CoL index: 92.085 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.63/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.51/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+39.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Jacksonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.70/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.69/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.68/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.63/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.51/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Jacksonville grew 31.3% from $21.80/hr (2019) to $28.63/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.41/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 Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville
Considering the varied earning potential, part-time officers in Jacksonville could bring home a smaller annual salary compared to full-time counterparts. With a schedule of just 24 hours weekly, their earnings would be significantly lower, which may lead them to explore per diem positions offering flexibility. Per diem police officer pay in Jacksonville often supplements income for those willing to take on extra hours, especially during events or court appearances where overtime can hike rates by 20-50%. Different types of law enforcement agencies offer distinct paycheck structures; municipal departments tend to provide stable salaries, while federal roles and private security assignments may offer higher hourly rates, sometimes reaching $75/hr. Some officers accept lower wages in exchange for comprehensive health benefits, emphasizing the trade-off between hourly pay and overall compensation packages. Officers may negotiate with their respective departments or look into opportunities that suit their financial needs best, showcasing the dynamic nature of the police workforce in Jacksonville, NC.
More salary data for Jacksonville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for police officers in Jacksonville in 2026?
How much do part-time police officers make in Jacksonville?
Are police officers in Jacksonville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time police officer make per year in Jacksonville?
Do police officers earn more per hour working part-time in Jacksonville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 Jacksonville. 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