Police Officer Salary in Hilton Head Island, SC: $61,053 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Hilton Head Island, SC earns a median $61,053/year (≈ $29.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Hilton Head Island's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.0), that paycheck buys what $62,288 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% above the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, police officer salaries in Hilton Head Island, SC, reflect both the local economic conditions and the structural considerations of law enforcement agencies. The median annual salary is projected at $61,053, which is approximately 22.27% lower than the national median of $78,542. These salaries range from $49,551 at the tenth percentile to $83,479 at the ninetieth percentile, indicating a diversity of compensation that depends on experience, role, and agency type. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights that officers in municipal departments typically earn less than their counterparts in federal positions, which tend to offer higher pay scales due to their expansive jurisdiction and resources. In light of these figures, the job market in Hilton Head Island remains appealing yet competitive, especially for those entering the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,551 | $23.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,147 | $26.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,053 | $29.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,996 | $37.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,479 | $40.13 |
Median Salary Position
22.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hilton Head Island
In Hilton Head Island, SC, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,928 (2026 est.). At $61,053, the local median is 22.27% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hilton Head Island: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hilton Head Island Police Officer Pay Compares
Hilton Head Island median: $61,053/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hilton Head Island Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $60,329 | +1.20% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | -22.27% less |
Police Officers in Hilton Head Island, SC earn a median of $61,053 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.27% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 1.20% above the South Carolina state average of $60,329.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hilton Head Island has a cost of living 1.98% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hilton Head Island, SC has a cost-of-living index of 98.017 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $61,053 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,288 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.02% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,080
2025 BLS Actual
$59,240
2026 Current Est.
$61,053
2019–2027 Growth
+36.5%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Hilton Head Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,080 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,210 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,960 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,000 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,770 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,150 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,240 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,053 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,921 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hilton Head Island metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 28.6% from $46,080 (2019) to $59,240 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,921 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,841 (36.55%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hilton Head Island 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) | $49,551 – $55,147 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,147 – $61,053 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,053 – $76,996 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,996 – $83,479 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Hilton Head Island
The local labor market for law enforcement is robust, with approximately 540 police officers currently employed in Hilton Head Island. This employment level shows significant opportunities relative to a cost-of-living index of 98.017, which is slightly below the national average, suggesting that take-home pay might stretch further in this area compared to more expensive regions. Municipal police departments in the city generally offer the most competitive salaries, while state police and federal agencies may provide higher compensation packages due to their operational resources and funding structures. The variation in pay can largely be attributed to factors such as agency type, overtime opportunities, special unit assignments, and educational incentives, which can significantly influence an officer's overall earnings. To maximize pay in this specific market, candidates should consider pursuing advanced training or degrees, targeting agencies that offer favorable pension plans, and exploring opportunities for overtime in specialized units.
More salary data for Hilton Head Island, 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 $59,240 for police officersin the Hilton Head Island 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