Police Officer Salary in Florence, SC: $50,201 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Florence, SC earns a median $50,201/year (≈ $24.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Florence's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.8), that paycheck buys what $57,853 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.7% below the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Florence, South Carolina, police officer salaries reflect the local economic landscape and the unique demands of law enforcement. The projected median annual salary for 2026 is $50,201, indicating a pay scale that varies significantly within the profession. Officers can expect to earn between $43,079 at the lower end (P10) and $78,016 at the higher end (P90). This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights how overtime associated with court appearances and special details can substantially influence total earnings. Given the local environment and job market for police officers, individuals may find opportunities to augment their base salaries through these additional duties, contributing to sustainable income growth.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,079 | $20.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,367 | $22.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,201 | $24.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,907 | $31.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,016 | $37.50 |
Median Salary Position
36.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Florence
In Florence, SC, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,937 (2026 est.). At $50,201, the local median is 36.08% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Florence: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Florence Police Officer Pay Compares
Florence median: $50,201/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Florence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $60,265 | -16.70% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -36.08% less |
Police Officers in Florence, SC earn a median of $50,201 per year (2026 est.), which is 36.08% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 16.70% below the South Carolina state average of $60,265.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Florence has a cost of living 13.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Florence, SC has a cost-of-living index of 86.774 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $50,201 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,853 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.24% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,980
2025 BLS Actual
$48,710
2026 Current Est.
$50,201
2019–2027 Growth
+39.9%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Florence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,980 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,390 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,700 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,210 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,180 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,940 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,710 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,201 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,737 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Florence metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 31.7% from $36,980 (2019) to $48,710 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,737 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,757 (39.91%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Florence 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) | $43,079 – $46,367 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,367 – $50,201 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,201 – $64,907 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,907 – $78,016 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Florence
Regarding the job market in Florence, the presence of approximately 490 police officers ensures a competitive environment, despite the city’s cost-of-living index sitting at 86.774, which is below the national average. This index impacts purchasing power, indicating that salaries may afford a different lifestyle than equivalent pay in higher-cost areas. Among the various employers, county sheriff's offices often provide better compensation than urban municipal departments, while federal law enforcement agencies typically offer the most competitive salaries. The disparity in pay can be attributed to several factors, including the type of agency, union contracts that govern overtime, and special assignments. Officers seeking to enhance their salary potential may consider pursuing advanced training or roles in specialized units, as higher qualifications often lead to better compensation packages, including educational incentives and enhanced pension benefits.
More salary data for Florence, 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 $48,710 for police officersin the Florence 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