Police Officer Salary in Summerville, SC: $59,041 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Summerville, SC earns a median $59,041/year (≈ $28.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Summerville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $64,526 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officers in Summerville, South Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $59,041, a figure significantly lower than the national median of $78,542. The salary range for officers in the area begins at $38,345 (10th percentile) and can rise to $91,513 (90th percentile), highlighting the potential variation based on experience and position. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations. Understanding the implications of a pension multiplier formula, particularly for long-term retirement planning, is crucial for officers considering this career path in Summerville, as local compensation rates reflect regional economic conditions and job market dynamics.
About the Summerville Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,345 | $18.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,644 | $22.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,041 | $28.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,573 | $36.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91,513 | $44.00 |
Median Salary Position
24.83% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Summerville
In Summerville, SC, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,168 (2026 est.). At $59,041, the local median is 24.83% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Summerville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Summerville Police Officer Pay Compares
Summerville median: $59,041/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Summerville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $60,307 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -24.83% less |
Police Officers in Summerville, SC earn a median of $59,041 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.83% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 2.10% below the South Carolina state average of $60,307.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Summerville 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.
Summerville, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $59,041 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,526 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,471
2025 BLS Actual
$57,288
2026 Current Est.
$59,041
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Summerville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,471 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,267 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,568 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,455 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,334 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,586 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,288 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,041 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,848 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Summerville metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $47,471 (2019) to $57,288 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,848 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,377 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Summerville 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) | $38,345 – $46,644 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,644 – $59,041 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,041 – $75,573 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,573 – $91,513 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Summerville
Within Summerville, the local job market currently employs 12 police officers, indicating a relatively small and possibly competitive environment. With a cost of living index of 91.5, officers may find their take-home pay has increased purchasing power, despite the lower salary levels compared to national averages. Among law enforcement agencies, municipal police departments typically offer the most competitive salaries, while federal roles can lead to higher pay, especially for those considering a transition into federal law enforcement post-retirement. Factors influencing the disparity in compensation include agency type, available overtime opportunities, special unit assignments, and incentives like educational pay and pension benefits. Officers in Summerville, SC, seeking to maximize their pay should consider pursuing advanced training or special certifications, as well as strategically seeking positions within agencies that offer robust compensation packages.
More salary data for Summerville, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $57,288 for police officersin the Summerville 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 Summerville 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