Police Officer Hourly Pay in Leland, NC: $26.94 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Leland, NC runs $26.94 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,043 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Leland's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.78 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,621 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Leland, North Carolina, the police officer hourly pay stands at $26.94, which is noticeably lower than the national median of $37.76. This pay structure influences part-time and per-diem workers significantly, as typical part-time schedules may involve shifts three days a week, translating to approximately 24 hours of work. These officers may find themselves in various roles such as patrolling assigned beats or handling report-writing in police facilities. Entry-level officers earn around $18.56, reflecting a starting point where experience can ultimately lead to higher earnings, reaching up to $38.32 for those in senior positions. The hourly rates are derived from broader annual salary estimates, emphasizing the variance in pay based on experience and specific assignments within the department.
About the Leland 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) | $18.56 | $148.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.92 | $175.37 |
| Median (P50) | $26.94 | $215.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.19 | $273.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.32 | $306.54 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Leland
Based on $26.94/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.94/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Leland, NC can expect to earn approximately $56,035 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,328. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Leland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Leland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,077.60 | $4,670 | $56,035 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $646.56 | $2,802 | $33,621 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $431.04 | $1,868 | $22,414 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Leland) | $26.94 |
| 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 Leland, NC earn a median of $56,043 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.65% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 7.10% below the North Carolina state average of $60,326.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.94/hr = $33,621/year (purchasing power: $35,920).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,035/year (purchasing power: $59,866).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.66/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.14/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.94/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Leland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.66/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.48/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.57/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.79/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.73/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.14/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.94/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Leland grew 20.7% from $21.66/hr (2019) to $26.14/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.76/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 Leland 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 Leland
Considering the financial implications of part-time versus full-time work, a police officer in Leland working three days a week takes home considerably less annually compared to their full-time counterparts. Per-diem work, where officers may take on extra shifts or specific assignments, can yield higher rates, particularly in overtime scenarios, which often command 1.5 times their base pay. This situation creates lucrative opportunities, especially during court appearances or special operations, where additional earnings can range from $35 to $75 per hour. Municipal departments often offer stability with benefits, contrasting with private security roles that may provide higher hourly compensation devoid of health insurance or retirement plans. Negotiating for higher per diem police officer pay in Leland can hinge on the specifics of duty assignments and the trade-offs between benefits and hourly wages, making it essential for officers to understand their value in the marketplace to ensure they receive fair compensation.
More salary data for Leland, 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 Leland. 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 Leland 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