Police Officer Salary in Tega Cay, SC: $55,633 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Tega Cay, SC earns a median $55,633/year (≈ $26.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Tega Cay's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $60,801 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.7% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Tega Cay, South Carolina, aspiring police officers can expect a median annual salary of $55,633, which reflects local estimates based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026. This salary range extends from $37,664 at the 10th percentile to $78,321 at the 90th percentile, indicating a significant variation in compensation based on experience, tenure, and specific job responsibilities. When compared nationally, the police officer salary in Tega Cay lags behind the national median of $78,542 by approximately 29.17%. This pay structure underscores the long-term value of pension plans, where differences in earnings can yield substantial impacts on retirement benefits, making Tega Cay an interesting choice for those weighing options in law enforcement careers.
About the Tega Cay Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,664 | $18.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,815 | $21.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,633 | $26.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,022 | $33.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,321 | $37.66 |
Median Salary Position
29.17% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tega Cay
In Tega Cay, SC, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,657 (2026 est.). At $55,633, the local median is 29.17% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tega Cay: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tega Cay Police Officer Pay Compares
Tega Cay median: $55,633/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tega Cay Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $60,274 | -7.70% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -29.17% less |
Police Officers in Tega Cay, SC earn a median of $55,633 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.17% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 7.70% below the South Carolina state average of $60,274.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tega Cay 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.
Tega Cay, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $55,633 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,801 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,730
2025 BLS Actual
$53,981
2026 Current Est.
$55,633
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Tega Cay (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,730 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,423 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,764 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,600 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,197 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,897 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,981 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,633 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,335 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tega Cay metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $44,730 (2019) to $53,981 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,335 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,605 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tega Cay 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) | $37,664 – $44,815 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,815 – $55,633 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,633 – $69,022 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,022 – $78,321 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Tega Cay
With only four police officers currently employed in Tega Cay, the local job market is small, yet it offers a unique insight into the economic dynamics of law enforcement. The area has a cost-of-living index of 91.5, which means that while salaries may seem lower compared to national averages, the purchasing power for officers may be more favorable relative to expenses, allowing for a balanced lifestyle within the community. Among different employment types, municipal police departments in Tega Cay typically offer competitive wages, while federal positions such as FBI or DEA may provide higher base salaries but are less accessible. The disparity in pay can often be attributed to various factors, including agency type, contractual overtime, and specialized unit assignments, as well as the impact of educational incentives and pension multiplier formulas. For those seeking to maximize their earnings in the Tega Cay SC market, pursuing advanced training and securing positions with higher pay potential, such as detective roles or special units, could be pragmatic strategies.
More salary data for Tega Cay, 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 $53,981 for police officersin the Tega Cay 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 Tega Cay 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