Police Officer Hourly Pay in Aiken, SC: $28.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Aiken, SC runs $28.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,794 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Aiken's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.41 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,872 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Aiken, South Carolina, the police officer hourly pay stands at an estimated $28.74 in 2026, reflecting a more cautious average when compared to the national hourly median of $37.76. This disparity highlights the economic landscape in Aiken, where part-time officers working a typical schedule of three days a week can expect to earn approximately $1,378.32 per week before taxes. This equates to annual earnings that vary significantly, considering the hourly range starts at $18.46 for entry-level positions and could potentially reach $42.34 for the top earners in the field. On a daily basis, officers engage in a variety of settings, from patrolling assigned beats to court testimony, engaging in special unit operations, or conducting investigations, all reflecting the multifaceted nature of police work.
About the Aiken Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.46 | $147.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.48 | $179.82 |
| Median (P50) | $28.74 | $229.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.51 | $292.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.34 | $338.70 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Aiken
Based on $28.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.74/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Aiken, SC can expect to earn approximately $59,786 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,492. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Aiken.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Aiken
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,149.74 | $4,982 | $59,786 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $689.84 | $2,989 | $35,872 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $459.89 | $1,993 | $23,915 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Aiken) | $28.74 |
| 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 Aiken, SC earn a median of $59,794 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.87% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 0.80% below the South Carolina state average of $60,277.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.74/hr = $35,872/year (purchasing power: $39,204).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,786/year (purchasing power: $65,340).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.11/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.89/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Aiken (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.11/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.99/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.64/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.08/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.89/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.62/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Aiken grew 20.7% from $23.11/hr (2019) to $27.89/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.62/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 Aiken 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 Aiken
Considering the financial implications of part-time employment, officers working a 3-day workweek can bring home a considerably lower income compared to their full-time counterparts. Full-time police officers in Aiken, with their mandatory overtime for court appearances and special assignments, can expect their overall earnings to increase significantly. Many departments offer overtime pay at 1.5 times the base rate, which can potentially add an additional 20-50% to their income. Per diem assignments, common in law enforcement, can range from $35 to $75 per hour, presenting a lucrative option for those willing to work extra shifts. Furthermore, earnings may vary based on the employer, with municipal and county police being different from federal law enforcement roles, which generally offer higher base salaries. The trade-off between lower hourly rates with benefits, such as health insurance, versus higher hourly rates without benefits often leads officers to weigh their options based on personal and family needs. For those seeking opportunities in police officer hourly pay in Aiken, keeping abreast of local negotiation strategies and market conditions can provide essential advantages in securing favorable terms.
More salary data for Aiken, SC:
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 Aiken. 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 Aiken 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