Police Officer Salary in Aiken, SC: $59,794 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Aiken, SC earns a median $59,794/year (≈ $28.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Aiken's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $65,349 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Aiken, South Carolina, police officers can expect to earn a median annual salary of $59,794 in 2026. This figure reflects the ongoing trend of municipal pay structures, which often diverge from federal law enforcement salaries. At the lower end of the spectrum, officers in the 10th percentile are projected to earn about $38,386, while those in the 90th percentile could make up to $88,064 annually. These estimates are derived from the 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments, showcasing how local economic factors influence compensation. Overall, Aiken's police officer pay illustrates a distinct disparity compared to national averages, emphasizing unique challenges and opportunities in the local job market.
About the Aiken Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,386 | $18.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,746 | $22.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,794 | $28.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,954 | $36.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,064 | $42.34 |
Median Salary Position
23.87% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Aiken
In Aiken, SC, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,678 (2026 est.). At $59,794, the local median is 23.87% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Aiken: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Aiken Police Officer Pay Compares
Aiken median: $59,794/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Aiken Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $60,277 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -23.87% less |
Police Officers in Aiken, SC earn a median of $59,794 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.87% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 0.80% below the South Carolina state average of $60,277.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Aiken has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Aiken, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $59,794 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,349 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,076
2025 BLS Actual
$58,019
2026 Current Est.
$59,794
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Aiken (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,076 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,896 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,188 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,086 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,027 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,181 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,019 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,794 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,624 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Aiken metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $48,076 (2019) to $58,019 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,624 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,548 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Aiken 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) | $38,386 – $46,746 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,746 – $59,794 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,794 – $75,954 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,954 – $88,064 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Aiken
Understanding the compensation dynamics in Aiken reveals several key factors affecting police officer salaries. Currently, there are only four police officers employed in the area, which could indicate a limited job market for law enforcement careers. With a cost-of-living index at 91.5—below the national average—officers' take-home purchasing power may be stretched compared to those in more expensive regions. Typically, municipal police departments in urban areas tend to offer higher salaries than rural counterparts, and state police can provide a middle ground. Accordingly, officers in Aiken seeking to increase pay may consider pursuing advanced training, aiming for positions in specialized units, or gaining experience in federal law enforcement agencies. These strategies, along with understanding the pension multiplier structures and overtime opportunities, can significantly enhance overall compensation in this market.
More salary data for Aiken, SC:
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 $58,019 for police officersin the Aiken 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 Aiken 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