Police Officer Salary in Spartanburg, SC: $58,775 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Spartanburg, SC earns a median $58,775/year (≈ $28.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Spartanburg's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.1), that paycheck buys what $64,552 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, police officers in Spartanburg, South Carolina, see a median annual salary of $58,775, a figure that lags behind the national median of $78,542 by 25.17%. The local salary range varies significantly from $47,779 at the 10th percentile to $77,377 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a notable disparity likely driven by the structural choices of law enforcement agencies. This data, derived from the 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, reveals how much do police officers make in Spartanburg compared to other regions and highlights the complexities at play between municipal, county, and federal positions in terms of pay structure. The competitive environment for law enforcement jobs in the area may press the local municipal departments to strategize on their compensation to attract and retain talent.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,779 | $22.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,231 | $24.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,775 | $28.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,166 | $29.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,377 | $37.20 |
Median Salary Position
25.17% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Spartanburg
In Spartanburg, SC, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,598 (2026 est.). At $58,775, the local median is 25.17% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Spartanburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Spartanburg Police Officer Pay Compares
Spartanburg median: $58,775/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Spartanburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $60,282 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -25.17% less |
Police Officers in Spartanburg, SC earn a median of $58,775 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.17% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 2.50% below the South Carolina state average of $60,282.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Spartanburg has a cost of living 8.95% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Spartanburg, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.051 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $58,775 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,552 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.83% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,257
2025 BLS Actual
$57,030
2026 Current Est.
$58,775
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Spartanburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,257 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,750 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,660 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,650 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,100 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,710 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,030 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,775 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,574 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Spartanburg metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $47,257 (2019) to $57,030 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,574 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,317 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Spartanburg 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) | $47,779 – $50,231 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,231 – $58,775 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,775 – $61,166 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,166 – $77,377 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Spartanburg
The job market for police officers in Spartanburg consists of approximately 720 individuals actively employed in the field. With a cost-of-living index of 91.051, officers may find that their take-home pay stretches further than in numerous urban settings. Municipal police departments typically provide the most competitive salaries, while the federal law enforcement agencies offer the highest compensation, often complemented by lucrative overtime opportunities. Factors influencing the wage spread include agency type, union contracts, and specialized assignments which can significantly enhance earning potential. To maximize one's pay in Spartanburg, officers should consider pursuing educational incentives or specialized unit assignments, such as SWAT or detective roles, while also taking advantage of overtime and shift differentials available through local labor contracts.
More salary data for Spartanburg, 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 $57,030 for police officersin the Spartanburg 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, 6-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