Police Officer Salary in Rock Hill, SC: $60,058 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Rock Hill, SC earns a median $60,058/year (≈ $28.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Rock Hill's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $65,637 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Police officers in Rock Hill, South Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $60,058 in 2026, which reflects a notable decrease compared to the national median of $78,542. Their salaries range significantly, from $35,592 at the 10th percentile to $93,052 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parity. While the average wage in Rock Hill is lower than national figures, many officers can increase their earnings through mandatory overtime associated with court appearances and special details. This overtime can make a considerable impact on total compensation and help hone skills relevant to law enforcement.
About the Rock Hill Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,592 | $17.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,361 | $22.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,058 | $28.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,875 | $36.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,052 | $44.74 |
Median Salary Position
23.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rock Hill
In Rock Hill, SC, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,460 (2026 est.). At $60,058, the local median is 23.53% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rock Hill: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rock Hill Police Officer Pay Compares
Rock Hill median: $60,058/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rock Hill Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $60,299 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -23.53% less |
Police Officers in Rock Hill, SC earn a median of $60,058 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.53% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 0.40% below the South Carolina state average of $60,299.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rock Hill 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.
Rock Hill, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $60,058 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,637 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,288
2025 BLS Actual
$58,275
2026 Current Est.
$60,058
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Rock Hill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,288 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,116 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,405 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,307 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,270 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,389 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,275 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,058 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,896 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rock Hill metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $48,288 (2019) to $58,275 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,896 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,608 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rock Hill 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) | $35,592 – $47,361 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,361 – $60,058 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,058 – $76,875 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,875 – $93,052 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Rock Hill
The job market for police officers in Rock Hill features about 11 positions, indicating a relatively small employment pool within this sector. The cost-of-living index for this area is 91.5, which is below the national average, suggesting that take-home pay may stretch further than it would in higher-cost regions. Among various employers, municipal police departments typically offer the most competitive salaries compared to county sheriff’s offices or state police. Factors influencing the pay spectrum include the type of agency, availability of overtime, special unit assignments, and educational incentives. Officers aiming to maximize their earning potential may want to pursue advanced training, especially in specialties like SWAT or detective work, and take advantage of union contracts that provide overtime opportunities.
More salary data for Rock Hill, 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 $58,275 for police officersin the Rock Hill 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 Rock Hill 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