Police Officer Salary in Apex, NC: $60,759 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Apex, NC earns a median $60,759/year (≈ $29.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Apex's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $64,913 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Apex, North Carolina, the projected median annual police officer salary in 2026 is $60,759, reflecting a compensation structure that shows a notable divergence from the national median of $78,542. The salary range for officers spans from $37,314 at the 10th percentile to $89,384 at the 90th percentile, indicating a wide variation in earnings based on experience, role, and agency type. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, highlight the unique pay dynamics at play in Apex, where municipal pay typically falls short of federal law enforcement salary scales yet competes with similar agencies statewide. The job market for police officers in Apex is stable, providing critical opportunities for those who are seeking fulfilling careers in law enforcement.
About the Apex Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,314 | $17.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,707 | $23.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,759 | $29.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,643 | $36.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,384 | $42.98 |
Median Salary Position
22.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Apex
In Apex, NC, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,070 (2026 est.). At $60,759, the local median is 22.64% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Apex: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Apex Police Officer Pay Compares
Apex median: $60,759/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Apex Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $60,337 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | -22.64% less |
Police Officers in Apex, NC earn a median of $60,759 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.64% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 0.70% above the North Carolina state average of $60,337.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Apex has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Apex, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $60,759 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,913 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,852
2025 BLS Actual
$58,955
2026 Current Est.
$60,759
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Apex (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,852 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,701 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,981 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,894 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,915 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,001 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,955 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,759 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,618 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Apex metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $48,852 (2019) to $58,955 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,618 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,766 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Apex 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $37,314 – $48,707 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,707 – $60,759 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,759 – $76,643 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,643 – $89,384 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Apex
The competitive landscape for police officer pay in Apex NC features 16 officers currently employed, highlighting a focused yet accessible job market. With a cost-of-living index at 93.6, officers in Apex may find that their take-home pay stretches further than in higher-cost areas. For those considering maximizing their earnings, it's crucial to understand that federal agencies like the FBI and DEA typically offer higher salaries compared to local municipal departments, which often provide additional income through overtime and special assignments. Factors such as agency type, union contracts, and educational incentives can significantly influence the pay scale. Aspiring officers should consider pursuing roles that involve specialized training or full-time assignments in tactical or investigative units, as these often come with enhanced pay opportunities and benefits that can optimize financial outcomes in this market.
More salary data for Apex, NC:
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $58,955 for police officersin the Apex metropolitan area. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Apex 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