Police Officer Salary in Raleigh, NC: $67,875 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Raleigh, NC earns a median $67,875/year (≈ $32.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Raleigh's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.2), that paycheck buys what $69,149 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.5% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Raleigh, North Carolina, police officers can expect a median salary of $67,875 in 2026, which reflects a growing emphasis on competitive compensation. The salary range for police officers spans from $57,322 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $83,345 for the highest earners (90th percentile). These figures, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data, highlight the necessary compensation dynamics in a city that maintains a low cost of living index of 98.157. As the demand for public safety professionals continues to rise, Raleigh's job market offers promising opportunities that are crucial for attracting and retaining talent.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,322 | $27.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,610 | $28.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,875 | $32.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,480 | $37.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,345 | $40.07 |
Median Salary Position
13.58% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Raleigh
In Raleigh, NC, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,023 (2026 est.). At $67,875, the local median is 13.58% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Raleigh: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Raleigh Police Officer Pay Compares
Raleigh median: $67,875/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Raleigh Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $60,334 | +12.50% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | -13.58% less |
Police Officers in Raleigh, NC earn a median of $67,875 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.58% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 12.50% above the North Carolina state average of $60,334.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Raleigh has a cost of living 1.84% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Raleigh, NC has a cost-of-living index of 98.157 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $67,875 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,149 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.88% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,910
2025 BLS Actual
$65,860
2026 Current Est.
$67,875
2019–2027 Growth
+40.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Raleigh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,910 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,150 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,990 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,530 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,570 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,800 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,875 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,952 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Raleigh metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 32.0% from $49,910 (2019) to $65,860 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,952 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,042 (40.16%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Raleigh 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) | $57,322 – $59,610 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,610 – $67,875 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,875 – $78,480 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,480 – $83,345 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Raleigh
With 2,430 police officers actively employed in the area, Raleigh's job market for law enforcement is robust. The cost-of-living index suggests that take-home pay can stretch further in this city compared to more expensive urban centers. Among local employers, municipal police departments typically provide the highest salaries, followed by county sheriff’s offices. The variation between low and high pay can be attributed to several factors, including agency type, overtime opportunities under union contracts, and specialized assignments such as SWAT or K-9 units, which often come with additional stipends. Furthermore, taking advantage of educational incentive pay can also enhance earnings; many departments offer a bonus for advanced degrees. For those in the Raleigh market, understanding these nuances can significantly influence overall compensation.
More salary data for Raleigh, 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 $65,860 for police officersin the Raleigh 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