Police Officer Hourly Pay in Salisbury, NC: $28.52 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Salisbury, NC runs $28.52 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,307 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Salisbury's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,589 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
As of 2026, police officers in Salisbury, North Carolina, earn a median hourly pay of $28.52, which falls significantly below the national hourly median of $37.76. This wage offers a practical insight for officers working part-time, such as those taking shifts three days a week; they may expect to earn around $1,368 weekly if scheduled for 24 hours. The hourly rates for police work in Salisbury can vary widely, starting from $17.84 for entry-level positions and reaching up to $40.40 for the highest earners. These rates reflect the diverse environments where officers operate, whether on regular patrols, working in the police station for report writing, or testifying in court. The projected figures indicate that the demand for police members remains stable, as these roles often require a flexible approach to scheduling, especially for per-diem officers who may fill gaps during peak demand periods.
About the Salisbury 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) | $17.84 | $142.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.97 | $175.78 |
| Median (P50) | $28.52 | $228.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.32 | $282.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.40 | $323.20 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salisbury
Based on $28.52/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.52/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salisbury, NC can expect to earn approximately $59,315 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,220. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Salisbury.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salisbury
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,140.67 | $4,943 | $59,315 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $684.40 | $2,966 | $35,589 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $456.27 | $1,977 | $23,726 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Salisbury) | $28.52 |
| 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 Salisbury, NC earn a median of $59,307 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.49% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 1.70% below the North Carolina state average of $60,333.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.52/hr = $35,589/year (purchasing power: $38,022).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,315/year (purchasing power: $63,370).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.93/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.52/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Salisbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.93/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.46/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.24/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.52/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Salisbury grew 20.7% from $22.93/hr (2019) to $27.67/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.39/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 Salisbury 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 Salisbury
Examining the earning potential for a part-time officer in Salisbury highlights substantial differences in income when compared to full-time positions. A part-time officer working a typical three-day week can bring home around $35,856 annually, while full-time counterparts benefit from additional pay opportunities through mandatory overtime, often resulting in salary increases of 20-50% for court appearances or special details. Furthermore, off-duty assignments can offer lucrative rates between $35 and $75 per hour, providing additional income streams. Hourly rates may also differ depending on the law enforcement type, where municipal departments typically pay less than federal agencies like the FBI or DEA, which offer higher salaries but often require more extensive training and responsibilities. Additionally, many officers must weigh the trade-off between higher hourly pay with fewer benefits versus lower pay that includes essential health insurance, a situation that may significantly influence their job choice in Salisbury.
More salary data for Salisbury, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Salisbury. 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 Salisbury 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