Police Officer Hourly Pay in Greenville, SC: $28.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Greenville, SC runs $28.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,548 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Greenville's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.3, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.70 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,730 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Greenville, South Carolina, police officer hourly pay is projected to reach a median rate of $28.63 in 2026. This figure lags significantly behind the national hourly median of $37.76, which highlights the disparities in compensation for law enforcement professionals across the country. For those working part-time, such as officers who might be on duty three days a week, this hourly rate translates to $34,000 a year before taxes, making it essential for them to consider per diem roles as well. Typical settings for police officers include patrol vehicles on assigned beats, police station report-writing rooms, and even courtrooms during criminal trials. Those in entry-level positions in Greenville can expect to earn around $23.21 per hour, while experienced officers potentially make as much as $37.29, demonstrating a wide range of pay that reflects both skill level and responsibility.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.21 | $185.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.69 | $197.55 |
| Median (P50) | $28.63 | $229.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.08 | $240.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.29 | $298.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Greenville
Based on $28.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.63/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Greenville, SC can expect to earn approximately $59,551 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,356. With a cost-of-living index of 93.26 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Greenville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Greenville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,145.20 | $4,963 | $59,551 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $687.12 | $2,978 | $35,730 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $458.08 | $1,985 | $23,820 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Greenville) | $28.63 |
| 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 Greenville, SC earn a median of $59,548 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.18% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 1.20% below the South Carolina state average of $60,271.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.63/hr = $35,730/year (purchasing power: $38,313).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,551/year (purchasing power: $63,854).
CoL index: 93.26 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.63/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+46.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Greenville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.26/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.89/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.55/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.51/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Greenville grew 37.8% from $20.16/hr (2019) to $27.78/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.51/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 Greenville 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 Greenville
Looking at the dynamics of part-time versus full-time employment can provide further insights into the earning potential for officers in Greenville. An officer working a 24-hour week may not have the same financial stability as their full-time counterparts, who enjoy the benefits of overtime pay that often adds 20-50% to their base rate, especially when called into court or for special duties. Additionally, off-duty assignments can offer attractive options, sometimes yielding $35 to $75 per hour. Hourly rates can vary based on employer type, with municipal police departments generally offering lower pay compared to federal agencies or private corporate security roles, which might appeal to those considering career transitions. Deciding between a position with benefits versus a higher hourly rate without health coverage is a significant consideration for many in law enforcement. For police officers navigating their options in Greenville, skillful negotiation can make a considerable difference in hourly earnings, depending on location and department budget dynamics.
More salary data for Greenville, 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 Greenville. 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