Police Officer Salary in Rocky Mount, NC: $64,670 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Rocky Mount, NC earns a median $64,670/year (≈ $31.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Rocky Mount's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.0), that paycheck buys what $73,479 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.2% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rocky Mount, North Carolina, the compensation for police officers is shaped significantly by overtime opportunities associated with court appearances and special details, effectively enhancing overall earnings. The projected 2026 median annual salary stands at $64,670, which is notably lower than the national median of $78,542, reflecting a disparity that can influence prospective recruits. Officers in the area see salaries that range from $49,850 at the lowest end (P10) to $79,470 at the high end (P90), according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. This economic backdrop reveals a structured compensation model where overtime can meaningfully boost take-home pay, making the profession a more viable option for those considering law enforcement careers in Rocky Mount.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,850 | $23.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,673 | $27.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,670 | $31.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,470 | $38.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,470 | $38.20 |
Median Salary Position
17.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rocky Mount
In Rocky Mount, NC, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,620 (2026 est.). At $64,670, the local median is 17.66% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rocky Mount: You'd be above the median
How Rocky Mount Police Officer Pay Compares
Rocky Mount median: $64,670/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rocky Mount Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $60,327 | +7.20% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | -17.66% less |
Police Officers in Rocky Mount, NC earn a median of $64,670 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.66% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 7.20% above the North Carolina state average of $60,327.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rocky Mount has a cost of living 11.99% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rocky Mount, NC has a cost-of-living index of 88.012 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $64,670 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,479 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,760
2025 BLS Actual
$62,750
2026 Current Est.
$64,670
2019–2027 Growth
+52.3%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Rocky Mount (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,760 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,380 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,220 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,700 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,750 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,670 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,649 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rocky Mount metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 43.4% from $43,760 (2019) to $62,750 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,649 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,889 (52.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rocky Mount 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) | $49,850 – $56,673 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,673 – $64,670 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,670 – $79,470 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,470 – $79,470 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Rocky Mount
The local job market for law enforcement in Rocky Mount appears robust, with approximately 390 police officers currently employed in the region. The cost of living index, standing at 88.012, is below the national average, which suggests that officers may experience a relatively higher purchasing power than in many other parts of the country. Among various agencies, municipal police departments often offer competitive pay, although officers seeking the highest salaries might consider federal law enforcement roles, which consistently pay more than state or local positions. Factors such as agency type, overtime structures, and special assignments significantly shape salary variations across the field. Officers aiming to maximize their pay should focus on gaining specialized skills or certifications, pursuing higher education incentives, and actively seeking out roles that offer overtime opportunities, ultimately enhancing both their financial and career prospects within the Rocky Mount police officer pay framework.
More salary data for Rocky Mount, 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 $62,750 for police officersin the Rocky Mount 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