Police Officer Hourly Pay in Raleigh, NC: $32.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Raleigh, NC runs $32.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,875 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Raleigh's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.2, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.24 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,721 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Raleigh, North Carolina, the police officer hourly pay for 2026 is set at a median of $32.63, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $37.76. This disparity highlights the unique economic conditions within the region. For part-time officers working a typical schedule of three days a week, this translates to a reliable source of income for those who may seek flexibility while still engaging in law enforcement duties. The pay range for police officers in Raleigh varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at $27.56 per hour and more seasoned professionals, especially those in specialized roles or higher ranks, earning up to $40.07 per hour. These figures stem from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics data and reflect the diverse environments in which Raleigh officers operate, from patrol vehicles to specialized task force operations.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.56 | $220.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.66 | $229.29 |
| Median (P50) | $32.63 | $261.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.73 | $301.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.07 | $320.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Raleigh
Based on $32.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.63/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Raleigh, NC can expect to earn approximately $67,868 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,155. With a cost-of-living index of 98.16 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Raleigh.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Raleigh
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,305.15 | $5,656 | $67,868 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $783.09 | $3,393 | $40,721 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $522.06 | $2,262 | $27,147 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Raleigh) | $32.63 |
| 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 Raleigh, NC earn a median of $67,875 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.58% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 12.50% above the North Carolina state average of $60,334.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.63/hr = $40,721/year (purchasing power: $41,485).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,868/year (purchasing power: $69,142).
CoL index: 98.157 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.66/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.63/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+40.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Raleigh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.59/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.99/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.74/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.63/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.66/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.63/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Raleigh grew 31.9% from $24.00/hr (2019) to $31.66/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.63/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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh
For those considering part-time police work in Raleigh, it's essential to understand the potential annual earnings compared to full-time positions. A 24-hour workweek could yield around $40,799 for part-time officers, which pales compared to a full-time officer's total potential earnings. Additionally, per-diem police officer pay in Raleigh can vary; mandatory overtime for court appearances and special assignments can lead to significant extra earnings, often allowing officers to earn 20-50% more than base hourly rates. There’s also a variance in pay based on the employer type, with federal law enforcement agencies generally offering better hourly rates and benefits compared to municipal departments. Officers must weigh the trade-offs between higher hourly rates without benefits and lower hourly rates with comprehensive health insurance. Those seeking to negotiate their pay should be informed about local standards, consider their value in the labor market influenced by demand, and be ready to advocate for themselves based on their training and experience in the field.
More salary data for Raleigh, 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 Raleigh. 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