Police Officer Salary in Goldsboro, NC: $47,995 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Goldsboro, NC earns a median $47,995/year (≈ $23.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Goldsboro's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.5), that paycheck buys what $54,255 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 20.5% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Goldsboro, North Carolina, the projected median police officer salary for 2026 is $47,995, reflecting the financial realities of public service in the region. This figure places Goldsboro's police officer compensation considerably lower than the national median of $78,542, indicating a disparity often seen in smaller cities compared to larger metropolitan areas. The salary for police officers here ranges from $43,100 at the 10th percentile to $77,450 at the 90th percentile. These projections are based on 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data, and they highlight the potential long-term impact of retirement benefits, particularly the pension multiplier formula, which can significantly enhance overall compensation for officers who stay in the field for the long haul.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,100 | $20.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,469 | $22.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,995 | $23.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,310 | $29.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,450 | $37.24 |
Median Salary Position
38.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Goldsboro
In Goldsboro, NC, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,350 (2026 est.). At $47,995, the local median is 38.89% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Goldsboro: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Goldsboro Police Officer Pay Compares
Goldsboro median: $47,995/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Goldsboro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $60,371 | -20.50% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -38.89% less |
Police Officers in Goldsboro, NC earn a median of $47,995 per year (2026 est.), which is 38.89% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 20.50% below the North Carolina state average of $60,371.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Goldsboro has a cost of living 11.54% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Goldsboro, NC has a cost-of-living index of 88.462 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $47,995 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,255 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.04% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,270
2025 BLS Actual
$46,570
2026 Current Est.
$47,995
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Goldsboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,270 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,330 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,840 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,560 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,810 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,050 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,570 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,995 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,464 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Goldsboro metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 15.6% from $40,270 (2019) to $46,570 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,464 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,194 (22.83%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Goldsboro 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) | $43,100 – $47,469 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,469 – $47,995 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,995 – $61,310 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,310 – $77,450 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Goldsboro
As of now, there are about 210 police officers employed in Goldsboro, which contributes to a stable job market in law enforcement despite varied pay scales. The low cost of living in the area, reflected in a cost of living index of 88.462, offers officers some relief on their take-home earnings. When analyzing pay among different agencies, municipal police departments often offer competitive salaries, but one should consider that federal law enforcement positions typically yield higher pay. Factors influencing the wide range between low and high salaries include differences in agency type, potential overtime from union contracts, special assignments, shift differentials, and educational incentives. To maximize earnings, aspiring police officers in Goldsboro should seek opportunities for additional training and specialty assignments, as these can greatly enhance overall compensation and career progression.
More salary data for Goldsboro, 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 $46,570 for police officersin the Goldsboro 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