Police Officer Salary in Myrtle Beach, SC: $63,969 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Myrtle Beach, SC earns a median $63,969/year (≈ $30.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Myrtle Beach's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $68,312 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.1% above the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $63,969 in 2026, police officers in Myrtle Beach, SC earn significantly less than the national median of $78,542. The salary range for local officers spans from $53,014 at the 10th percentile to $80,047 at the 90th percentile, highlighting variability based on experience, rank, and specific roles within law enforcement. These figures are derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, which reveal how choices in federal, municipal, and state police structures affect compensation. While federal agencies may offer higher pay, municipal departments within Myrtle Beach are positioning their police officer salaries competitively to attract and retain talent within a job market that encompasses 910 officers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,014 | $25.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,465 | $29.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,969 | $30.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,708 | $36.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,047 | $38.48 |
Median Salary Position
18.55% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Myrtle Beach
In Myrtle Beach, SC, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,033 (2026 est.). At $63,969, the local median is 18.55% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Myrtle Beach: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Myrtle Beach Police Officer Pay Compares
Myrtle Beach median: $63,969/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Myrtle Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $60,292 | +6.10% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | -18.55% less |
Police Officers in Myrtle Beach, SC earn a median of $63,969 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.55% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 6.10% above the South Carolina state average of $60,292.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Myrtle Beach has a cost of living 6.36% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Myrtle Beach, SC has a cost-of-living index of 93.642 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $63,969 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,312 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.79% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,040
2025 BLS Actual
$62,070
2026 Current Est.
$63,969
2019–2027 Growth
+46.4%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Myrtle Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,040 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,460 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,310 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,190 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,190 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,800 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,070 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,969 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,927 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Myrtle Beach metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 37.8% from $45,040 (2019) to $62,070 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,927 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,887 (46.37%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Myrtle Beach 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) | $53,014 – $60,465 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,465 – $63,969 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,969 – $76,708 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,708 – $80,047 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Myrtle Beach
The local job market for law enforcement in Myrtle Beach is vibrant, yet the cost-of-living index of 93.642 indicates that purchasing power is somewhat limited compared to national averages. Officers employed by the city's municipal police department typically earn lower salaries relative to those in state police and federal positions, with the latter often enjoying higher base pay and additional overtime. Factors contributing to the disparities in police officer pay in Myrtle Beach SC include agency type, union contracts, and overtime structures, which can substantially enhance earnings through special unit assignments or shift differentials. For those seeking to maximize their earnings potential, pursuing educational incentives such as advanced degrees or certifications, and actively seeking roles in specialized units may offer the most substantial financial benefits in this market.
More salary data for Myrtle Beach, 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 $62,070 for police officersin the Myrtle Beach 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