Police Officer Hourly Pay in Tega Cay, SC: $26.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Tega Cay, SC runs $26.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,633 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Tega Cay's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.23 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,377 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Tega Cay, South Carolina, police officers earn a median hourly pay of $26.74, which is significantly lower than the national median of $37.76. This figure not only reflects the local compensation for law enforcement but also sets the backdrop for various working arrangements. For part-time officers working three days a week, typically totaling around 24 hours, the compensation can be an interesting factor in yearly earnings. Given the hourly range from $18.11 for entry-level officers to $37.66 for those at the top of their career, the diverse responsibilities of police work—ranging from patrol duties and report writing to testimony in court—reveal how pay can fluctuate based on experience and specific assignments. For those exploring per diem police officer pay in Tega Cay, the city's compensation framework offers various opportunities across multiple settings, adding to the complexity of hourly pay dynamics in law enforcement.
About the Tega Cay Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.11 | $144.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.55 | $172.40 |
| Median (P50) | $26.74 | $213.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.19 | $265.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.66 | $301.26 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tega Cay
Based on $26.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.74/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tega Cay, SC can expect to earn approximately $55,628 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,093. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Tega Cay.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tega Cay
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,069.76 | $4,636 | $55,628 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $641.86 | $2,781 | $33,377 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $427.91 | $1,854 | $22,251 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Tega Cay) | $26.74 |
| 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 Tega Cay, SC earn a median of $55,633 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.17% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 7.70% below the South Carolina state average of $60,274.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.74/hr = $33,377/year (purchasing power: $36,477).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,628/year (purchasing power: $60,795).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.50/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.95/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Tega Cay (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.50/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.32/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.00/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.40/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.61/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.95/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.56/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Tega Cay grew 20.7% from $21.50/hr (2019) to $25.95/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.56/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 Tega Cay 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 Tega Cay
Evaluating the financial outlook for part-time police officers in Tega Cay is crucial in understanding the broader implications of hourly compensation. A 24-hour work week could yield an annual take-home pay significantly lower than those working full-time, which might influence officers' decisions to pursue additional duties or overtime. In many departments, overtime can enhance earnings by 20-50%, particularly when adding time for court appearances, special events, or additional duties like event security, which can pay anywhere from $35 to $75 per hour. The pay scale can vary widely across various employer types in Tega Cay—municipal, state, and federal agencies all offer different compensation levels, with federal law enforcement typically commanding higher rates. Officers may opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for better health benefits, demonstrating the trade-offs inherent in this profession. Negotiation strategies may focus on securing favorable working conditions or additional bonuses that can enhance overall pay without necessarily changing the hourly rate.
More salary data for Tega Cay, 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 Tega Cay. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Tega Cay is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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