Police Officer Salary in Burlington, NC: $67,710 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Burlington, NC earns a median $67,710/year (≈ $32.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Burlington's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $72,653 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.2% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Burlington, North Carolina, the projected median annual salary for police officers in 2026 is $67,710. This figure highlights a notable disparity when compared to the national median of $78,542, showing that local police officer pay in Burlington is about 13.79% lower than the national average. The salary range for officers varies significantly, from a lower threshold of $57,353 (10th percentile) to a high of $85,736 (90th percentile). These insights come from official BLS OEWS surveys, reflecting the economic dynamics faced by law enforcement personnel in Burlington, including the potential for additional earnings through overtime associated with mandatory court appearances or special details. As such, the effective pay for police officers in the area can be significantly influenced by these additional hours worked.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,353 | $27.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,042 | $29.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,710 | $32.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,842 | $36.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,736 | $41.22 |
Median Salary Position
13.79% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
In Burlington, NC, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,383 (2026 est.). At $67,710, the local median is 13.79% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burlington Police Officer Pay Compares
Burlington median: $67,710/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $60,348 | +12.20% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | -13.79% less |
Police Officers in Burlington, NC earn a median of $67,710 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.79% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 12.20% above the North Carolina state average of $60,348.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burlington has a cost of living 6.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burlington, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.196 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $67,710 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,653 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,410
2025 BLS Actual
$65,700
2026 Current Est.
$67,710
2019–2027 Growth
+47.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,410 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,310 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,990 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,660 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,100 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,440 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,700 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,710 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,782 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burlington metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 38.6% from $47,410 (2019) to $65,700 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,782 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,372 (47.19%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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) | $57,353 – $62,042 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,042 – $67,710 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,710 – $76,842 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,842 – $85,736 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Burlington
Burlington's job market currently employs approximately 370 police officers, providing a relatively stable workforce in the area. The cost of living index, standing at 93.196, suggests that while salaries may lag behind national averages, the purchasing power for officers might be more favorable given the local economic climate. Municipal police departments typically offer competitive pay, although county sheriff's offices and federal law enforcement agencies generally pay more. The variance in compensation can often be attributed to factors such as agency type, shift differentials, special unit assignments, and union contract structures that dictate overtime payouts. Police officers in Burlington seeking to maximize their earnings should consider pursuing specialized training or certifications that not only enhance job performance but can also lead to higher pay grades. Participating in overtime opportunities and seeking advancement into units such as SWAT or detective assignments can significantly impact overall compensation in this local market.
More salary data for Burlington, 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 $65,700 for police officersin the Burlington 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
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