Police Officer Salary in North Carolina: $62,136 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Carolina's 45 metropolitan areas, the average median police officer pay sits at $62,136/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 33-3051. Because North Carolina sits at BEA RPP 93.6 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $66,385 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Raleigh ($65,860), Burlington ($65,700), Cary ($65,547).
In 2026, the average median salary for police officers in North Carolina is projected to be $62,136, which is significantly lower than the national median of $78,542, representing a gap of 20.9%. Within the state, salaries vary widely, with Raleigh offering the highest pay at $67,875, while Goldsboro reflects the lowest at $47,995. This disparity can be attributed to several factors, including the cost of living, funding levels in municipal budgets, and local demand for law enforcement. In North Carolina, police officers must meet specific licensing requirements and adhere to state regulations that dictate the scope of practice. This can affect both job responsibilities and compensation. The demand for police officers is anticipated to grow at an annual rate of 3.06%, suggesting a steady need for law enforcement professionals in various regions. Top-paying areas beyond Raleigh include Burlington at $67,710 and Cary at $67,553, indicating that metropolitan centers tend to offer better salaries. Conversely, cities like Goldsboro reflect lower pay scales, likely due to budget constraints and community needs. Overall, while North Carolina's police officer salaries are below the national average, the job market outlook remains positive, driven by a continued demand for public safety services.
North Carolina Police Officer Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Carolina: $35,537 (lowest entry-level) to $104,707 (highest top earner)
North Carolina vs National Average
North Carolina police officers earn 20.89% less than the national median ($-16,406/year difference).
North Carolina Police Officer Salary Distribution (2026)
Police Officer salaries in North Carolina range from $50,368 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $85,547 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $62,136. The North Carolina median is $16,406 below the US national median of $78,542. The average hourly rate is $29.87/hr. Approximately 18,134 police officers are employed across 45 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$47,593
2025 BLS Actual
$60,291
2026 Current Est.
$62,136
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in North Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,593 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,099 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,966 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,289 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,047 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,218 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,291 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,136 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,038 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Carolina metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 26.7% from $47,593 (2019) to $60,291 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,038 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,445 (34.55%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Carolina 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in North Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in North Carolina
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Goldsboro | $47,995 |
| Fayetteville | $49,634 |
| Hickory | $53,859 |
| Wilmington | $55,158 |
| Leland | $56,043 |
Best Value Cities for Police Officers in North Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for police officers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mount | $64,670 | 88.012 | $73,479 |
| Burlington | $67,710 | 93.196 | $72,653 |
| Cary | $67,553 | 93.6 | $72,172 |
| Concord | $66,189 | 93.6 | $70,715 |
| Raleigh | $67,875 | 98.157 | $69,149 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $50,368 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $62,136 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $85,547 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 45 Cities in North Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raleigh | $67,875 |
| 2 | Burlington | $67,710 |
| 3 | Cary | $67,553 |
| 4 | Concord | $66,189 |
| 5 | Charlotte | $65,124 |
| 6 | Rocky Mount | $64,670 |
| 7 | Gastonia | $63,735 |
| 8 | Greensboro | $62,691 |
| 9 | Winston-Salem | $62,548 |
| 10 | Chapel Hill | $62,456 |
| 11 | Durham | $61,939 |
| 12 | High Point | $61,726 |
| 13 | Jacksonville | $61,362 |
| 14 | Huntersville | $60,998 |
| 15 | Kannapolis | $60,902 |
| 16 | Apex | $60,759 |
| 17 | Pinehurst | $60,352 |
| 18 | Asheville | $59,868 |
| 19 | Statesville | $59,850 |
| 20 | Kernersville | $59,799 |
| 21 | Matthews | $59,658 |
| 22 | Cornelius | $59,555 |
| 23 | Sanford | $59,504 |
| 24 | Wake Forest | $59,503 |
| 25 | Morrisville | $59,476 |
| 26 | Fuquay-Varina | $59,316 |
| 27 | Salisbury | $59,307 |
| 28 | Thomasville | $59,209 |
| 29 | Winston | $59,198 |
| 30 | New Bern | $59,185 |
| 31 | Mint Hill | $59,171 |
| 32 | Greenville | $58,940 |
| 33 | Holly Springs | $58,235 |
| 34 | Mooresville | $58,052 |
| 35 | Monroe | $58,029 |
| 36 | Garner | $57,897 |
| 37 | Wilson | $57,855 |
| 38 | Boone | $57,604 |
| 39 | Indian Trail | $57,106 |
| 40 | Carrboro | $56,883 |
| 41 | Leland | $56,043 |
| 42 | Wilmington | $55,158 |
| 43 | Hickory | $53,859 |
| 44 | Fayetteville | $49,634 |
| 45 | Goldsboro | $47,995 |
More North Carolina Salary Data
Compare Cities in North Carolina
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in North Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for police officers in North Carolina?
How does North Carolina police officer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level police officer salary in North Carolina?
How many police officers are employed in North Carolina?
Which North Carolina city offers the best value for police officers?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 police officer compensation across North Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 45 metro areas — larger metro areas with more police officerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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