Police Officer Hourly Pay in Wilson, NC: $27.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Wilson, NC runs $27.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,855 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Wilson's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.72 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,714 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officer hourly pay in Wilson, North Carolina, stands at a median rate of $27.82, significantly lower than the national median of $37.76. This discrepancy highlights the local cost of living, which hovers around an index of 93.6, well below the national average. For those considering part-time work, a three-day weekly schedule allows officers to work about 24 hours, generating a weekly income of approximately $669.76 at the median hourly rate. The hourly range for police officers in Wilson stretches from $18.59, entry-level positions, to around $40.77 for those at the top of their field, reflecting the differences in experience, role demands, and department funding. Factors such as assignments in patrol vehicles, court testimonies, and various specialized operations play a critical role in shaping these earnings.
About the Wilson 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) | $18.59 | $148.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.29 | $178.34 |
| Median (P50) | $27.82 | $222.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.61 | $284.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.77 | $326.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wilson
Based on $27.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.82/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wilson, NC can expect to earn approximately $57,857 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,379. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wilson.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wilson
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,112.64 | $4,821 | $57,857 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $667.58 | $2,893 | $34,714 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $445.05 | $1,929 | $23,143 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Wilson) | $27.82 |
| 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 Wilson, NC earn a median of $57,855 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.34% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 4.10% below the North Carolina state average of $60,328.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.82/hr = $34,714/year (purchasing power: $37,088).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,857/year (purchasing power: $61,813).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.99/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Wilson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.36/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.21/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.88/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.60/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.43/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.99/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.67/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Wilson grew 20.7% from $22.36/hr (2019) to $26.99/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.67/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 Wilson 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 Wilson
Analyzing the potential earnings reveals that part-time officers working 24 hours weekly can expect an annual income of around $34,858. In contrast, full-time officers can access mandatory overtime that significantly boosts total compensation, allowing for a possible increase of 20-50% over base pay in many instances. Per diem police officer pay in Wilson can fluctuate based on assignments ranging from court appearances to extra-duty jobs, which might offer payment rates between $35 to $75 an hour. Hourly wages also vary depending on the employment type, whether municipal, state, or federal. For instance, some officers choose lower hourly rates associated with municipal positions, drawn by benefits like health insurance, while others prefer higher pay without benefits, common in agency or contract-based roles. For officers aiming to negotiate hourly wages, understanding the local market conditions and available benefits can provide leverage in discussions with potential employers in Wilson, NC.
More salary data for Wilson, 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 Wilson. 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 Wilson 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