Police Officer Salary in Lexington, SC: $56,957 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Lexington, SC earns a median $56,957/year (≈ $27.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Lexington's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $62,248 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officers in Lexington, South Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $56,957, which is markedly lower than the national median of $78,542 for the same year. The salary range for these officers spans from $35,793 at the 10th percentile to $79,423 at the 90th percentile. While the base salary may seem modest compared to larger urban departments, many officers in Lexington benefit from mandatory overtime linked to court appearances and special details, which can significantly enhance their effective pay. Given local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price levels, the economic realities of working in this area create a unique context for police officer compensation.
About the Lexington Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,793 | $17.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,004 | $21.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,957 | $27.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,066 | $33.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,423 | $38.18 |
Median Salary Position
27.48% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lexington
In Lexington, SC, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,630 (2026 est.). At $56,957, the local median is 27.48% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lexington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lexington Police Officer Pay Compares
Lexington median: $56,957/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lexington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $60,272 | -5.50% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -27.48% less |
Police Officers in Lexington, SC earn a median of $56,957 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.48% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 5.50% below the South Carolina state average of $60,272.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lexington 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.
Lexington, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $56,957 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,248 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,795
2025 BLS Actual
$55,266
2026 Current Est.
$56,957
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Lexington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,795 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,528 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,854 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,710 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,416 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,942 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,266 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,957 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,700 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lexington metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $45,795 (2019) to $55,266 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,700 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,905 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lexington 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) | $35,793 – $44,004 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,004 – $56,957 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,957 – $70,066 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,066 – $79,423 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Lexington
In terms of local employment, there are currently five police officers working in Lexington, reflecting a competitive job market where the cost of living index is at 91.5, below the national average. This lower cost of living can lead to a higher purchasing power for officers compared to other regions, but it also impacts salary expectations. Among local employers, municipal police departments generally provide the most consistent pay structures, but officers may also explore opportunities with federal law enforcement agencies for increased compensation. The wide salary range is influenced by several factors, including the type of agency, overtime structure, special unit assignments, and additional educational incentives. For those pursuing financial growth in Lexington, taking advantage of overtime opportunities, specializing in high-demand units, and seeking educational advancement can maximize their pay and influence future earnings potential within the local police officer pay landscape in SC.
More salary data for Lexington, 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 $55,266 for police officersin the Lexington 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 Lexington 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