Police Officer Hourly Pay in Wilmington, NC: $26.52 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Wilmington, NC runs $26.52 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,158 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Wilmington's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.4, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.50 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,094 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Wilmington, NC, presents a competitive police officer hourly pay structure, with a median rate at $26.52 per hour. This figure is notably lower than the national median of $37.76 per hour, indicating a regional difference in compensation. For part-time officers working three days a week, the financial landscape means earning approximately $27,685 annually, which could be supplemented with per-diem work during critical operations such as patrol duties, report writing, or special unit deployments. The hourly range varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at about $23.06 and experienced officers earning up to $35.96, reflecting the role's various responsibilities and the unique demands of law enforcement in Wilmington. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.06 | $184.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.81 | $190.45 |
| Median (P50) | $26.52 | $212.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.61 | $236.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.96 | $287.66 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wilmington
Based on $26.52/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.52/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wilmington, NC can expect to earn approximately $55,156 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,821. With a cost-of-living index of 96.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wilmington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wilmington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,060.69 | $4,596 | $55,156 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $636.42 | $2,758 | $33,094 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $424.28 | $1,839 | $22,062 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Wilmington) | $26.52 |
| 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 Wilmington, NC earn a median of $55,158 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.77% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 8.60% below the North Carolina state average of $60,348.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.52/hr = $33,094/year (purchasing power: $34,322).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,156/year (purchasing power: $57,203).
CoL index: 96.422 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.54/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.73/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.52/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.54/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.75/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.34/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.73/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.52/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.33/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Wilmington grew 19.5% from $21.54/hr (2019) to $25.73/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.33/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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington
Examining the earnings potential for part-time police officers in Wilmington reveals that those working only 24 hours a week would take home significantly less than their full-time counterparts, given the structure of salaries in law enforcement. Full-time officers often receive scheduling incentives and overtime pay, which can add 20-50% to base earnings for tasks such as court appearances or special details. Many will also take advantage of extra-duty assignments, commonly earning between $35 and $75 per hour in cash or through department-sanctioned programs. The diversity of employers—municipal departments, county sheriff's offices, and federal agencies like the FBI or ATF—shows various hourly rates and benefit packages. Officers may choose lower hourly pay for positions that provide better health benefits or job security, particularly as they approach retirement. For those negotiating their contracts, understanding Wilmington's specific market values and the broader context of law enforcement compensation is essential for maximizing pay.
More salary data for Wilmington, 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 Wilmington. 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