Police Officer Hourly Pay in Sumter, SC: $27.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Sumter, SC runs $27.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,621 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Sumter's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.0, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.92 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,968 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the hourly pay for police officers in Sumter, South Carolina stands at $27.22, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $37.76. This means that officers in Sumter may face budget constraints when working part-time or per-diem, particularly those on three-day workweeks who typically clock 24 hours. Within the range of pay, entry-level officers earn around $22.12, while experienced officers can command up to $35.81 per hour in various assignments, including patrol duties, courtroom appearances, and specialized units like SWAT or K-9 operations. Given these figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, they provide a reliable lens into the financial realities of law enforcement in this southern city.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.12 | $176.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.12 | $176.93 |
| Median (P50) | $27.22 | $217.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.92 | $231.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.81 | $286.51 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sumter
Based on $27.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.22/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sumter, SC can expect to earn approximately $56,614 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,662. With a cost-of-living index of 88.02 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sumter.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sumter
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,088.73 | $4,718 | $56,614 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $653.24 | $2,831 | $33,968 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $435.49 | $1,887 | $22,645 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Sumter) | $27.22 |
| 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 Sumter, SC earn a median of $56,621 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.91% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 6.10% below the South Carolina state average of $60,299.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.22/hr = $33,968/year (purchasing power: $38,592).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,614/year (purchasing power: $64,319).
CoL index: 88.02 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.29/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.41/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+53.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Sumter (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.29/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.94/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.87/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.78/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.41/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.05/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Sumter grew 44.4% from $18.29/hr (2019) to $26.41/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.05/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 Sumter 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 Sumter
Considering hourly earning potential, part-time police officers working 24 hours a week may take home significantly less annually compared to their full-time counterparts, emphasizing the financial challenges faced by those not in traditional roles. Per diem police officer pay in Sumter can vary widely, especially with opportunities for overtime that could boost earnings by as much as 20%-50% during court appearances or special operations. Additional off-duty work assignments, often paying between $35 and $75 per hour, can supplement income for those looking to enhance their overall financial situation. Moreover, the pay structure is influenced by the type of employer; municipal departments often offer lower hourly rates compared to federal law enforcement agencies, which provide more competitive compensation. Officers must weigh the benefits of health insurance and retirement packages against potentially higher hourly pay in roles without such perks. For those negotiating their position, understanding the dynamics of police officer hourly pay in Sumter can be crucial to ensuring a fair compensation package.
More salary data for Sumter, 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 Sumter. 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