Police Officer Hourly Pay in Kernersville, NC: $28.75 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Kernersville, NC runs $28.75 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,799 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Kernersville's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.72 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,885 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kernersville, NC, police officer hourly pay is projected to reach a median rate of $28.75 in 2026, which is considerably below the national median of $37.76. This disparity indicates that police work in this town, like many municipalities, reflects regional economic conditions, including cost of living and funding for public services. For part-time officers working a typical three-day week, this hourly rate translates to an annual income of approximately $44,800, while those working in per-diem roles, often found in various setting including patrol, court appearances, or special operations, may experience fluctuating earnings based on hours worked and assignments. Kernersville's police officer hourly range spans from $18.42 at the entry-level up to $42.30 for the most experienced.
About the Kernersville 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) | $18.42 | $147.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.45 | $179.57 |
| Median (P50) | $28.75 | $230.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.49 | $291.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.30 | $338.37 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kernersville
Based on $28.75/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.75/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kernersville, NC can expect to earn approximately $59,808 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,504. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kernersville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kernersville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,150.15 | $4,984 | $59,808 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $690.09 | $2,990 | $35,885 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $460.06 | $1,994 | $23,923 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Kernersville) | $28.75 |
| 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 Kernersville, NC earn a median of $59,799 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.86% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 0.90% below the North Carolina state average of $60,342.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.75/hr = $35,885/year (purchasing power: $38,338).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,808/year (purchasing power: $63,897).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.12/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.75/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Kernersville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.12/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.99/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.09/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.75/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.63/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Kernersville grew 20.7% from $23.12/hr (2019) to $27.90/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.63/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 Kernersville 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 Kernersville
Moving to a broader perspective, the earning potential for part-time officers, working 24 hours a week, allows them to take home about $44,800 annually. This figure is notably lower than that of full-time officers, who benefit from overtime pay for court appearances and special duties, often adding between 20-50% to their base rate. Per diem police officer pay in Kernersville can vary significantly, with off-duty assignments offering higher cash rates of $35-$75 per hour. Furthermore, law enforcement positions in the area differ by employer type—municipal police departments, county sheriff's offices, and federal agencies often provide a unique array of benefits, which can influence hourly wages. While some officers may opt for the security of employment with benefits, others may prefer positions with higher hourly pay but fewer benefits. For those considering negotiating their compensation, focusing on their experience, specialized training, and the prevailing market conditions in Kernersville can be effective strategies.
More salary data for Kernersville, 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 Kernersville. 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 Kernersville 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