Police Officer Salary in Cary, NC: $67,553 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Cary, NC earns a median $67,553/year (≈ $32.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Cary's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $72,172 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.9% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cary, North Carolina, police officers earn a median salary of $67,553 in 2026, reflecting local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data. The salary spectrum for this occupation ranges from $43,606 at the low end (P10) to $104,707 at the high end (P90), highlighting the varying compensation based on experience and specialization. Considering the retirement formulas and potential pension benefits unique to law enforcement, it's crucial to gauge the overall long-term financial outlook when assessing a career in policing. While these earnings may fall 13.99% below the national median of $78,542, the local job market presents consistent opportunities that are shaped by Cary's growing population and corresponding safety needs.
About the Cary Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,606 | $20.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,356 | $25.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,553 | $32.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,831 | $41.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,707 | $50.34 |
Median Salary Position
13.99% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cary
In Cary, NC, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,101 (2026 est.). At $67,553, the local median is 13.99% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cary: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cary Police Officer Pay Compares
Cary median: $67,553/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cary Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $60,369 | +11.90% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | -13.99% less |
Police Officers in Cary, NC earn a median of $67,553 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.99% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 11.90% above the North Carolina state average of $60,369.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cary 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.
Cary, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $67,553 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,172 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,314
2025 BLS Actual
$65,547
2026 Current Est.
$67,553
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Cary (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,314 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,370 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,570 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,585 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,167 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,925 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,547 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,553 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,620 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cary metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $54,314 (2019) to $65,547 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,620 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,306 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cary 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) | $43,606 – $53,356 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,356 – $67,553 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,553 – $85,831 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,831 – $104,707 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Cary
As of the latest projections, Cary employs approximately 44 police officers, indicating a stable job market relative to the local demand for law enforcement. Additionally, Cary's cost of living index stands at 93.6, making it more affordable than many other areas, thereby enhancing the purchasing power of the salaries offered. Among local law enforcement agencies, municipal police departments typically present the most competitive salaries, while county sheriff's offices and state police offer mid-tier pay. The disparity in earnings can often be attributed to various factors, such as agency types, union contracts, and specialty assignments that come with financial incentives. Officers aiming to maximize their pay in Cary should consider additional skills and endorsements through POST training, pursue leadership or specialized assignments, and take advantage of any educational incentives available within their departments.
More salary data for Cary, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $65,547 for police officersin the Cary 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 Cary 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