Police Officer Salary in Pinehurst, NC: $60,352 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Pinehurst, NC earns a median $60,352/year (≈ $29.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Pinehurst's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.3), that paycheck buys what $68,321 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Pinehurst, North Carolina, police officers earn a median annual salary of $60,352, which is notably lower than the national median of $78,542. The salary range for local police positions varies significantly, with the lowest 10 percent earning approximately $47,768, while those in the top 90 percent can make as much as $72,699. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Office of Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, reflects the broader context of law enforcement pay across the country. Factors influencing salary levels include the structural distinctions between different tiers of law enforcement, notably federal agencies like the FBI and DEA, which typically offer higher pay, compared to municipal and state police departments. In this competitive environment, Pinehurst’s offerings highlight the challenges faced by those considering a career in local police work compared to federal positions.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,768 | $22.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,973 | $24.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,352 | $29.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,207 | $29.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,699 | $34.96 |
Median Salary Position
23.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pinehurst
In Pinehurst, NC, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,931 (2026 est.). At $60,352, the local median is 23.16% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pinehurst: You'd be above the median
How Pinehurst Police Officer Pay Compares
Pinehurst median: $60,352/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pinehurst Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $78,542 | -23.16% less |
Police Officers in Pinehurst, NC earn a median of $60,352 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.16% lower than the national median of $78,542.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pinehurst has a cost of living 11.66% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pinehurst, NC has a cost-of-living index of 88.336 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $60,352 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,321 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.2% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$48,525
2025 BLS Actual
$58,560
2026 Current Est.
$60,352
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Pinehurst (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,525 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,361 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,647 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,553 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,540 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,180 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,560 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,352 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,199 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pinehurst metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $48,525 (2019) to $58,560 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,199 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,674 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pinehurst 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) | $47,768 – $50,973 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,973 – $60,352 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,352 – $61,207 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,207 – $72,699 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Pinehurst
With approximately 170 police officers employed in the Pinehurst area, the job market remains relatively stable, though the cost of living index stands at 88.336, indicating a lower-than-average cost relative to the national standard. This factor can impact an officer’s purchasing power, making the compensation more competitive in terms of local economies. Among local employers, municipal police departments generally provide more stable positions; however, seeking assignments in specialized units like SWAT or detective roles can help officers boost their earnings through stipends and overtime. The wage distribution is shaped by factors such as union contract provisions, shift differentials for less desirable hours, and educational incentives tied to advanced degrees. Officers looking to maximize their pay in Pinehurst should consider opportunities for additional training, overtime, and potential transfers to higher-paying roles within the law enforcement hierarchy.
More salary data for Pinehurst, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Pinehurst, NC in 2026?
Is Pinehurst, NC a good place to work as a police officer?
Can police officers make $100K in Pinehurst?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted police officer salary in Pinehurst?
How much does a police officer make per hour in Pinehurst?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 $58,560 for police officersin the Pinehurst 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, 2-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