Police Officer Salary in Wilson, NC: $57,855 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Wilson, NC earns a median $57,855/year (≈ $27.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Wilson's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $61,811 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the police officer salary in Wilson, NC is projected to reach a median annual pay of $57,855, placing it significantly below the national median of $78,542. Salaries among officers in Wilson range from $38,667 at the 10th percentile to as high as $84,812 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price variations, reflect the local economic environment where overtime from mandatory court appearances and special details can effectively enhance salaries, driving many officers’ total earnings upward. This dynamic is particularly important in Wilson, where the overall police officer pay can be influenced by factors such as officer specialization or the need for additional shifts.
About the Wilson Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,667 | $18.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,357 | $22.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,855 | $27.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,054 | $35.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,812 | $40.77 |
Median Salary Position
26.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilson
In Wilson, NC, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,145 (2026 est.). At $57,855, the local median is 26.34% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wilson Police Officer Pay Compares
Wilson median: $57,855/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $60,328 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -26.34% less |
Police Officers in Wilson, NC earn a median of $57,855 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.34% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 4.10% below the North Carolina state average of $60,328.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilson 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.
Wilson, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $57,855 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,811 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,517
2025 BLS Actual
$56,137
2026 Current Est.
$57,855
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Wilson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,517 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,277 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,592 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,462 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,242 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,659 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,137 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,855 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,625 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilson metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $46,517 (2019) to $56,137 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,625 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,108 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilson 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) | $38,667 – $46,357 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,357 – $57,855 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,855 – $74,054 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,054 – $84,812 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Wilson
The job market for police officers in Wilson currently employs about seven individuals, and the cost of living index stands at 93.6, suggesting a lower-than-average cost of living, which can positively impact the purchasing power of earnings. Among local law enforcement options, municipal police departments usually offer the most competitive salaries, often bolstered by union negotiations that include overtime strategies and additional incentives. The variation in police officer pay within Wilson occurs as a function of agency type and various pay structures, such as shift differentials and specialized unit assignments. Officers seeking to maximize their earnings should consider roles that offer educational incentives and overtime opportunities, positioning themselves for potential advancements within the department.
More salary data for Wilson, 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 $56,137 for police officersin the Wilson 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 Wilson 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