Police Officer Salary in Wilmington, NC: $55,158 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Wilmington, NC earns a median $55,158/year (≈ $26.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Wilmington's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.4), that paycheck buys what $57,205 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.6% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wilmington, North Carolina, the typical compensation for police officers is projected to reach a median annual salary of $55,158 in 2026, reflecting a notable 29.77% lower figure compared to the national median of $78,542 for the same year. Officers in this region can expect salaries ranging from $47,974 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $74,780 at the upper end (90th percentile). This salary data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), also highlights the variations based on the type of policing agency. Wilmington's job market is primarily influenced by the structural choices among federal, municipal, and state police, each offering different pay scales and benefits.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,974 | $23.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,520 | $23.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,158 | $26.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,578 | $29.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,780 | $35.96 |
Median Salary Position
29.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilmington
In Wilmington, NC, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,806 (2026 est.). At $55,158, the local median is 29.77% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilmington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wilmington Police Officer Pay Compares
Wilmington median: $55,158/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilmington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $60,348 | -8.60% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -29.77% less |
Police Officers in Wilmington, NC earn a median of $55,158 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.77% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 8.60% below the North Carolina state average of $60,348.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilmington has a cost of living 3.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilmington, NC has a cost-of-living index of 96.422 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $55,158 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,205 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.71% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,800
2025 BLS Actual
$53,520
2026 Current Est.
$55,158
2019–2027 Growth
+26.9%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,800 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,940 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,310 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,460 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,600 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,600 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,520 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,158 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,846 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilmington metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 19.5% from $44,800 (2019) to $53,520 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,846 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,046 (26.89%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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) | $47,974 – $49,520 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,520 – $55,158 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,158 – $61,578 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,578 – $74,780 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Wilmington
Local employment in law enforcement is represented by around 1,210 police officers, a figure that illustrates a stable job market despite the ongoing discussions about police funding and community relations. With a cost-of-living index standing at 96.422, Wilmington offers a relatively affordable living environment, which can enhance take-home pay and purchasing power for officers compared to more expensive metropolitan areas. The highest salaries in Wilmington often come from federal law enforcement entities, surpassing local and state departments significantly. Factors influencing the pay spectrum include agency type, the possibility of overtime, union contracts, specialized assignments, and additional educational incentives. For those aiming to maximize their pay in Wilmington, pursuing advanced training or unit assignments could present opportunities for enhanced income, while staying mindful of the pension structuring can also play a role in long-term financial security.
More salary data for Wilmington, 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 $53,520 for police officersin the Wilmington 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