Police Officer Hourly Pay in Hilton Head Island, SC: $29.35 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Hilton Head Island, SC runs $29.35 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,053 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Hilton Head Island's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.0, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.95 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,631 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, police officers in Hilton Head Island, SC, are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $29.35, which is notably lower than the national median of $37.76. This hourly rate positions officers within a range that starts at $23.82 for entry-level positions while top earners can make up to $40.13. This pay structure is particularly relevant for part-time or per-diem police officers who may work three days a week, often in varied environments such as patrol vehicles, police booking stations, or even in court testimonies. The hourly compensation reflects the nature of law enforcement work, demanding versatility and adaptability in both field operations and administrative duties. The official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data underscores the financial realities faced by officers on Hilton Head Island compared to their counterparts in different parts of the country.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.82 | $190.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.52 | $212.14 |
| Median (P50) | $29.35 | $234.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.02 | $296.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.13 | $321.05 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hilton Head Island
Based on $29.35/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.35/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hilton Head Island, SC can expect to earn approximately $61,051 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,222. With a cost-of-living index of 98.02 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hilton Head Island.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hilton Head Island
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,174.06 | $5,088 | $61,051 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $704.44 | $3,053 | $36,631 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $469.62 | $2,035 | $24,420 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Hilton Head Island) | $29.35 |
| 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 Hilton Head Island, SC earn a median of $61,053 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.27% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 1.20% above the South Carolina state average of $60,329.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.35/hr = $36,631/year (purchasing power: $37,372).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,051/year (purchasing power: $62,286).
CoL index: 98.017 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.15/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.48/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.35/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Hilton Head Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.15/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.66/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.00/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.92/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.48/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.35/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Hilton Head Island grew 28.6% from $22.15/hr (2019) to $28.48/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.25/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 Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island
For part-time workers, those clocking in around 24 hours a week can expect a more limited annual income compared to full-time employees, leading to significant financial differences. In a typical part-time setup, they would bring home an estimated annual income far below that of full-time colleagues, highlighting the challenges of fitting police work into a part-time schedule. Additionally, police work often includes mandatory overtime, which can elevate earnings significantly—sometimes by 20-50%—due to essential court appearances or shift extensions. The work environment also influences pay; officers can earn varying hourly rates depending on whether they are part of municipal departments or federal agencies. Accepting lower hourly rates may be appealing to those weighing job security and benefits, as comprehensive health insurance could offset the higher immediate pay offered by private contractors or agency work. Effective negotiation within Hilton Head Island entails understanding local pay scales and recognizing the trade-offs between pay and benefits.
More salary data for Hilton Head Island, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for police officers in Hilton Head Island in 2026?
How much do part-time police officers make in Hilton Head Island?
Are police officers in Hilton Head Island paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time police officer make per year in Hilton Head Island?
Do police officers earn more per hour working part-time in Hilton Head Island?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in South Carolina
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 Hilton Head Island. 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