Police Officer Salary in High Point, NC: $61,726 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in High Point, NC earns a median $61,726/year (≈ $29.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in High Point's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $65,947 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In High Point, North Carolina, police officers can expect a median annual salary of $61,726 in 2026, which reflects a notable 21.41% below the national median of $78,542. The salary range for officers varies significantly from $38,876 at the 10th percentile to $95,675 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and adjusted for the local cost of living. While federal positions offer the highest salaries, local municipal pay structures reveal that High Point's compensation—though competitive for NC—remains lower in comparison to larger urban areas, where compensation packages can soar significantly.
About the High Point Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,876 | $18.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,962 | $23.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,726 | $29.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,009 | $37.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,675 | $46.00 |
Median Salary Position
21.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in High Point
In High Point, NC, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,799 (2026 est.). At $61,726, the local median is 21.41% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in High Point: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How High Point Police Officer Pay Compares
High Point median: $61,726/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | High Point Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $60,338 | +2.30% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | -21.41% less |
Police Officers in High Point, NC earn a median of $61,726 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.41% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 2.30% above the North Carolina state average of $60,338.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
High Point 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.
High Point, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $61,726 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,947 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,629
2025 BLS Actual
$59,893
2026 Current Est.
$61,726
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in High Point (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,629 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,508 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,777 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,704 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,804 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,402 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,893 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,726 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,615 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the High Point metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $49,629 (2019) to $59,893 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,615 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,986 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the High Point 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) | $38,876 – $47,962 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,962 – $61,726 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,726 – $79,009 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,009 – $95,675 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in High Point
The job market for police officers in High Point is relatively small, with only 23 officers currently employed in the region. Given the cost-of-living index at 93.6, those entering this profession may find their earnings stretch farther than those in higher-cost areas. As municipal police departments typically offer the most stable salaries, county sheriff's offices and state police positions tend to fall in the mid-range. The spread between lower and higher salaries can be attributed to various factors, including the type of agency, union contracts, and potential shift differentials that reward night or holiday shifts. For those looking to maximize their police officer pay in High Point, pursuing specialized roles, increasing educational credentials, and obtaining overtime hours can be effective strategies for boosting income.
More salary data for High Point, 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 $59,893 for police officersin the High Point 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 High Point 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