Police Officer Salary in Winston-Salem, NC: $62,548 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Winston-Salem, NC earns a median $62,548/year (≈ $30.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Winston-Salem's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $66,825 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for police officers in Winston-Salem, NC, is estimated at $62,548, which is approximately 20.36% lower than the national median of $78,542. The local salary range varies significantly, from $36,278 at the 10th percentile to $96,950 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, speak to both the compensation structure and the long-term retirement benefits available in this law enforcement environment. The way salary is structured, especially influenced by the pension multiplier formula, is a critical consideration for officers weighing their career options in Winston-Salem, impacting not only their current income but also their future financial security.
About the Winston-Salem Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,278 | $17.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,822 | $22.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,548 | $30.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,061 | $38.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96,950 | $46.61 |
Median Salary Position
20.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winston-Salem
In Winston-Salem, NC, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,672 (2026 est.). At $62,548, the local median is 20.36% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Winston-Salem: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Winston-Salem Police Officer Pay Compares
Winston-Salem median: $62,548/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Winston-Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $60,375 | +3.60% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | -20.36% less |
Police Officers in Winston-Salem, NC earn a median of $62,548 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.36% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 3.60% above the North Carolina state average of $60,375.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Winston-Salem 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.
Winston-Salem, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $62,548 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,825 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,290
2025 BLS Actual
$60,691
2026 Current Est.
$62,548
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Winston-Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,290 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,194 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,453 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,393 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,561 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,443 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,691 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,548 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,462 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Winston-Salem metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $50,290 (2019) to $60,691 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,462 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,172 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winston-Salem 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) | $36,278 – $45,822 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,822 – $62,548 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,548 – $80,061 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,061 – $96,950 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Winston-Salem
The local job market shows a stable presence with 59 police officers employed in Winston-Salem, which allows candidates to assess job security amidst a cost-of-living index of 93.6, indicating that living expenses are lower than the national average. Among the various law enforcement employers in the region, municipal police departments typically provide competitive pay compared to county sheriff's offices and federal agencies. Factors such as union contracts that dictate overtime rates, special assignment perks, and educational incentives greatly contribute to the salary disparities within departments. Officers can maximize their take-home pay through participation in specialized units like SWAT or tactical teams, utilizing the pension multiplier effectively, and being aware of potential shift differentials that enhance earnings. For those considering the question of how much do police officers make in Winston-Salem, NC, understanding these components is essential for making informed career choices.
More salary data for Winston-Salem, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can police officers make $100K in Winston-Salem?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted police officer salary in Winston-Salem?
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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 $60,691 for police officersin the Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem 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