Police Officer Salary in Gastonia, NC: $63,735 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Gastonia, NC earns a median $63,735/year (≈ $30.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Gastonia's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $68,093 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.6% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officer salary in Gastonia, NC is projected to reach a median of $63,735, which positions it notably lower than the national median of $78,542, indicating a variance of approximately 18.85%. The salary range for officers in the area spans from $40,276 at the 10th percentile to $95,099 at the 90th percentile. These estimates derive from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price disparities. Overtime from court appearances and special details significantly impacts overall earnings, contributing to a higher effective pay. The local law enforcement landscape is driven by the economic realities of Gastonia’s job market, where the focus on maximizing available resources can enhance financial returns for dedicated officers.
About the Gastonia Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,276 | $19.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,564 | $23.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,735 | $30.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,345 | $39.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,099 | $45.72 |
Median Salary Position
18.85% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gastonia
In Gastonia, NC, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,823 (2026 est.). At $63,735, the local median is 18.85% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gastonia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gastonia Police Officer Pay Compares
Gastonia median: $63,735/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gastonia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $60,355 | +5.60% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | -18.85% less |
Police Officers in Gastonia, NC earn a median of $63,735 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.85% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 5.60% above the North Carolina state average of $60,355.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gastonia 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.
Gastonia, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $63,735 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,093 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,245
2025 BLS Actual
$61,843
2026 Current Est.
$63,735
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Gastonia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,245 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,184 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,430 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,387 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,654 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,158 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,843 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,735 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,686 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gastonia metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $51,245 (2019) to $61,843 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,686 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,441 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gastonia 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) | $40,276 – $49,564 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,564 – $63,735 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,735 – $81,345 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,345 – $95,099 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Gastonia
With only 16 police officers currently employed in Gastonia, the job market for law enforcement remains competitive. The cost of living index stands at 93.6, suggesting that the expense of living in this region is below the national average, which can afford officers some purchasing power. For those aiming to maximize their police officer pay in Gastonia, seeking employment with municipal police departments generally offers higher compensation compared to county sheriff's offices or state police. Factors such as union contracts for overtime, special assignment stipends, and educational incentives also create significant pay disparities; officers with advanced degrees often receive additional compensation. Transitioning into federal positions or specialized units can also provide enhanced earnings. Thus, understanding the variables that influence salary and actively pursuing opportunities for overtime and special assignments can greatly impact take-home pay in Gastonia, NC.
More salary data for Gastonia, 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 $61,843 for police officersin the Gastonia 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 Gastonia 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