Police Officer Salary in Winston, NC: $59,198 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Winston, NC earns a median $59,198/year (≈ $28.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Winston's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $64,316 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Winston, North Carolina, the projected median annual compensation for police officers by 2026 is $59,198, which shows a significant gap of 24.63% compared to the national median of $78,542. The salary range for officers in this city spans from $45,151 at the 10th percentile to $78,068 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the variance in pay dependent on experience and specific roles within the policing structure. This salary data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, highlighting the distinctions between local, state, and federal law enforcement pay. The choice between these levels can heavily influence an officer's financial paths within Winston, where local departments might yield lower pay compared to federal agencies while still providing valuable community engagement opportunities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,151 | $21.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,871 | $23.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,198 | $28.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,412 | $31.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,068 | $37.53 |
Median Salary Position
24.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winston
In Winston, NC, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,917 (2026 est.). At $59,198, the local median is 24.63% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Winston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Winston Police Officer Pay Compares
Winston median: $59,198/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Winston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $60,344 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -24.63% less |
Police Officers in Winston, NC earn a median of $59,198 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.63% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 1.90% below the North Carolina state average of $60,344.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Winston has a cost of living 7.96% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Winston, NC has a cost-of-living index of 92.043 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $59,198 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,316 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.65% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,770
2025 BLS Actual
$57,440
2026 Current Est.
$59,198
2019–2027 Growth
+42.6%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Winston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,770 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,820 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,420 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,280 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,020 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,840 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,440 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,198 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,009 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Winston metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 34.3% from $42,770 (2019) to $57,440 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,009 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,239 (42.64%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winston 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) | $45,151 – $48,871 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,871 – $59,198 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,198 – $66,412 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,412 – $78,068 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Winston
The local law enforcement job market in Winston employs approximately 1,310 officers, contributing to a competitive hiring landscape. The cost of living index stands at 92.043, suggesting that while the salaries may be lower than the national average, officers in this area may enjoy a more affordable lifestyle, positively affecting their take-home pay. Among the various employers in the area, municipal police departments typically offer competitive salaries, while state police and federal agencies may present opportunities with higher compensation, especially when accounting for overtime and specialized unit assignments. Factors that can significantly influence pay disparities include agency type, the presence of union contracts for overtime, educational incentives, and the pension multiplier system. For officers seeking to maximize their salaries in Winston, pursuing additional certifications, aiming for roles in specialized units, and capitalizing on educational benefits can be effective strategies within this unique market.
More salary data for Winston, 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 $57,440 for police officersin the Winston 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