Police Officer Hourly Pay in Columbia, SC: $29.36 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Columbia, SC runs $29.36 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,073 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Columbia's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.7, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.35 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,644 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Columbia, South Carolina, police officers earn a median hourly pay of $29.36, which is notably lower than the national median of $37.76. This hourly rate reflects a range that spans from $23.12 for entry-level positions to as much as $48.97 for the highest earners. For part-time officers working three days a week, typically around 24 hours, this translates into a potential salary that can suit those who prefer flexibility—whether patrolling city streets, managing court proceedings, or engaging in community policing activities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects these figures based on the increasing demand for law enforcement personnel, indicating a consideration for both full-time and per-diem police officer pay in Columbia's varied operational environments.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.12 | $184.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.79 | $190.29 |
| Median (P50) | $29.36 | $234.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.50 | $300.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.97 | $391.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Columbia
Based on $29.36/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.36/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Columbia, SC can expect to earn approximately $61,073 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,234. With a cost-of-living index of 93.66 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Columbia.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Columbia
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,174.47 | $5,089 | $61,073 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $704.68 | $3,054 | $36,644 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $469.79 | $2,036 | $24,429 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Columbia) | $29.36 |
| 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 Columbia, SC earn a median of $61,073 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.24% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 1.30% above the South Carolina state average of $60,290.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.36/hr = $36,644/year (purchasing power: $39,123).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,073/year (purchasing power: $65,205).
CoL index: 93.662 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.49/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.36/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+48.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.36/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.88/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.26/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.17/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.21/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.49/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.36/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.26/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Columbia grew 39.9% from $20.36/hr (2019) to $28.49/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.26/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 Columbia 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 Columbia
To understand potential earnings further, a part-time officer in Columbia working 24 hours a week would collect approximately $37,000 annually, making a significant contrast with full-time colleagues who often benefit from overtime opportunities. Those stepping into per-diem or agency roles can expect to supplement their income through various off-duty assignments, earning extra pay ranging from $35 to $75 per hour. The disparity in hourly rates across employer types—such as municipal police departments, sheriff's offices, and federal agencies—often reflects the benefits structure, where some agencies offer robust health plans that may justify a lower base pay. Police officers must be savvy negotiators, prioritizing their financial needs alongside health insurance benefits when considering their long-term career trajectories in Columbia, SC.
More salary data for Columbia, 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 Columbia. 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