Police Officer Hourly Pay in Winston-Salem, NC: $30.07 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Winston-Salem, NC runs $30.07 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,548 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Winston-Salem's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,531 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the police officer hourly pay stands at a median of $30.07, which is notably lower than the national median of $37.76. This difference highlights the economic landscape for law enforcement professionals in the area. For officers working part-time, such as those on a three-day-a-week schedule, the financial implications can be significant. With a typical workweek involving patrol duties, report writing, or court testimonies, these part-time positions yield substantial yet variable income based on the number of hours worked. The hourly range for police officers in Winston-Salem spans from $17.44 at the entry level to $46.61 for top earners, reflecting the various roles and responsibilities within the department. These estimated rates stem from the broader outlook on annual salaries and present a clear picture of the hourly expectations for law enforcement personnel.
About the Winston-Salem 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) | $17.44 | $139.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.03 | $176.27 |
| Median (P50) | $30.07 | $240.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.49 | $307.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.61 | $372.91 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Winston-Salem
Based on $30.07/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.07/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Winston-Salem, NC can expect to earn approximately $62,552 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,087. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Winston-Salem.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Winston-Salem
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,202.92 | $5,213 | $62,552 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $721.75 | $3,128 | $37,531 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $481.17 | $2,085 | $25,021 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Winston-Salem) | $30.07 |
| 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 Winston-Salem, NC earn a median of $62,548 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.36% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 3.60% above the North Carolina state average of $60,375.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.07/hr = $37,531/year (purchasing power: $40,097).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,552/year (purchasing power: $66,829).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.18/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.18/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.07/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Winston-Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.18/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.74/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.68/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.25/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.18/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.07/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Winston-Salem grew 20.7% from $24.18/hr (2019) to $29.18/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.99/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 Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem
While the part-time earning potential can provide a decent income, it pales in comparison to full-time opportunities. An officer working a 24-hour week may take home significantly less than someone committed to a full-time role, where overtime consistently boosts earnings—often adding 20-50% to base pay for court appearances, extra-duty assignments, or unexpected shift extensions. Per diem police officer pay in Winston-Salem can vary widely, especially for those securing additional off-duty assignments, which might offer much higher hourly rates. It's vital to recognize that varying employer types influence hourly rates, with municipal departments typically offering lower pay compared to state or federal agencies. Additionally, officers may face a trade-off between higher hourly wages without benefits versus steady employment with health insurance. Knowing the negotiation landscape can be advantageous for hourly workers in Winston-Salem, especially when discussing compensation and benefits with municipal or county agencies.
More salary data for Winston-Salem, 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 Winston-Salem. 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 Winston-Salem 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