Police Officer Hourly Pay in New Bern, NC: $28.45 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in New Bern, NC runs $28.45 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,185 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against New Bern's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.40 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,512 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In New Bern, NC, the projected median hourly pay for police officers in 2026 is $28.45, which is significantly lower than the national median hourly rate of $37.76. This discrepancy may impact the attractiveness of law enforcement in the region, particularly for part-time officers working three days a week. Those in community policing or patrol duties typically earn between $17.74 and $41.29 per hour, which reflects the range of responsibilities, from basic patrol responsibilities to more specialized tasks. Officers may find employment in various settings such as patrol vehicles on assigned beats, police stations for booking and report writing, or in plainclothes detective cases. These hourly wages, estimated from annual salary data, provide insight into potential earnings for those seeking flexible or per-diem police officer pay in New Bern.
About the New Bern 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) | $17.74 | $141.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.86 | $174.87 |
| Median (P50) | $28.45 | $227.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.76 | $286.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.29 | $330.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in New Bern
Based on $28.45/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.45/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in New Bern, NC can expect to earn approximately $59,186 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,146. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in New Bern.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in New Bern
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,138.19 | $4,932 | $59,186 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $682.92 | $2,959 | $35,512 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $455.28 | $1,973 | $23,674 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (New Bern) | $28.45 |
| 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 New Bern, NC earn a median of $59,185 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.65% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 1.90% below the North Carolina state average of $60,332.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.45/hr = $35,512/year (purchasing power: $37,940).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,186/year (purchasing power: $63,233).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.06/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.61/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.45/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+32.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in New Bern (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.06/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.98/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.98/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.95/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.61/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.45/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.33/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in New Bern grew 25.2% from $22.06/hr (2019) to $27.61/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.33/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 New Bern 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 New Bern
Considering the part-time earning potential, a police officer working 24 hours a week in New Bern could expect to take home roughly $35,000 annually, compared to a full-time officer's earnings at around $59,185. Overtime, which is often a requirement for officers attending court appearances, can increase income significantly—sometimes raising total pay by 20-50%. Extra-duty assignments, commonly found in municipal departments, may offer pay rates from $35 to $75 per hour, appealing to those looking to augment their income. Hourly rates can vary between different employer types, such as municipal police departments, county sheriff's offices, and federal law enforcement agencies. Officers frequently weigh the trade-offs of hourly pay versus benefits, such as health insurance, leading some to accept lower hourly rates in exchange for comprehensive benefits. Understanding the nuances of pay scales in New Bern allows current and aspiring officers to negotiate better terms and maximize their earning potential effectively.
More salary data for New Bern, 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 New Bern. 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 New Bern 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