Police Officer Hourly Pay in Charleston, SC: $30.01 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Charleston, SC runs $30.01 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,423 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Charleston's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.0, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.73 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,454 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Charleston's police officers earn a median hourly rate of $30.01, which is notably lower than the national median of $37.76. This discrepancy reflects the local economic conditions and cost of living in the area. For part-time officers working three days a week, typically around 24 hours, their earnings become a critical aspect of budgeting—an entry-level officer might make just enough to cover basic expenses, while those at the upper end of the hourly rate—up to $37.62—can significantly enhance their income. These officers operate in various settings, including patrol vehicles, police stations for report writing, and even in courtrooms during testimonies, highlighting the diverse environments where police work is conducted. The official Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows a broad hourly range from $24.43 at the lower end to $37.62 for top earners, providing insight into the earning potential for officers throughout Charleston.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.43 | $195.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.41 | $211.31 |
| Median (P50) | $30.01 | $240.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.00 | $287.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.62 | $300.94 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charleston
Based on $30.01/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.01/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charleston, SC can expect to earn approximately $62,423 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,013. With a cost-of-living index of 100.96 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Charleston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charleston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,200.44 | $5,202 | $62,423 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $720.27 | $3,121 | $37,454 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $480.18 | $2,081 | $24,969 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Charleston) | $30.01 |
| 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 Charleston, SC earn a median of $62,423 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.52% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 3.50% above the South Carolina state average of $60,313.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.01/hr = $37,454/year (purchasing power: $37,097).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,423/year (purchasing power: $61,828).
CoL index: 100.962 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$22.81/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.12/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.01/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+35.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.81/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.93/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.46/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.28/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.27/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.97/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.12/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.01/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.93/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Charleston grew 27.7% from $22.81/hr (2019) to $29.12/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.93/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 Charleston 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 Charleston
Looking at part-time positions versus full-time work reveals significant earning potential differences. An officer working 24 hours a week would take home substantially less than their full-time counterparts, who average between 40 to 50 hours per week, particularly if they are eligible for overtime. Many police officers often have opportunities for per diem or agency assignments, where they can earn up to $35-$75 an hour for additional duties outside their primary department, such as security or event management. Earning variations exist among different employer types in Charleston, whether it’s a municipal police department, county sheriff's office, or federal law enforcement. Moreover, while some opt for the steady hours and benefits of municipal roles, others may pursue higher hourly wages in private security where benefits may not be standard. For those negotiating hourly pay, it's essential to weigh the value of health insurance against the allure of higher rates, as well as understand how to negotiate terms that benefit their long-term career trajectory in law enforcement.
More salary data for Charleston, 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 Charleston. 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