Police Officer Hourly Pay in Myrtle Beach, SC: $30.75 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Myrtle Beach, SC runs $30.75 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,969 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Myrtle Beach's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.84 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,380 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Myrtle Beach, SC, police officers earn a median hourly rate of $30.75, positioned significantly below the national hourly median of $37.76. This difference in pay can impact part-time and per diem workers in the field. For instance, a part-time officer working three days a week typically finds themselves navigating various assignments, from patrolling assigned beats to handling inquiries in specialized units. Those working per diem may enjoy flexibility in their schedules while earning hourly rates ranging from $25.49 at the entry-level to $38.48 for top earners in Myrtle Beach. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, depict the financial aspect of police work that is critical when contemplating shifts within the profession.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.49 | $203.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.07 | $232.59 |
| Median (P50) | $30.75 | $246.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.89 | $295.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.48 | $307.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Myrtle Beach
Based on $30.75/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.75/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Myrtle Beach, SC can expect to earn approximately $63,966 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,904. With a cost-of-living index of 93.64 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Myrtle Beach.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Myrtle Beach
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,230.12 | $5,331 | $63,966 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $738.07 | $3,198 | $38,380 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $492.05 | $2,132 | $25,587 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Myrtle Beach) | $30.75 |
| 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 Myrtle Beach, SC earn a median of $63,969 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.55% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 6.10% above the South Carolina state average of $60,292.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.75/hr = $38,380/year (purchasing power: $40,986).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,966/year (purchasing power: $68,310).
CoL index: 93.642 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.65/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.75/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+46.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Myrtle Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.65/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.38/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.75/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.09/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.75/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.69/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Myrtle Beach grew 37.8% from $21.65/hr (2019) to $29.84/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.69/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 Myrtle Beach 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 Myrtle Beach
Considering the implications of part-time work in law enforcement, a police officer on a 24-hour work week would earn substantially less than their full-time counterparts annually. With salaried police work often including mandatory overtime, the potential for additional income through court appearances or special assignments can enhance a part-time officer's pay. Many departments offer overtime pay at a time-and-a-half rate, significantly increasing overall earnings. Additionally, off-duty assignments, often ranging from $35 to $75 per hour, provide further opportunities for income augmentation. Differences in hourly rates can also stem from employer types across the region, whether it's municipal departments, county sheriff's offices, or federal law enforcement agencies. While some officers may opt for higher hourly rates in positions without benefits, others can find balanced solutions by accepting lower rates for comprehensive health coverage. Practical negotiation strategies, such as emphasizing experience or considering alternative shifts, can help officers maximize their earnings in Myrtle Beach’s diverse law enforcement landscape.
More salary data for Myrtle Beach, 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 Myrtle Beach. 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