Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers Salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
The median pay for a police and sheriff's patrol officers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC is $60,250/year ($28.97/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $49K at the entry level to $77K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 100.96), that's roughly $59,677 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,787/month — about 45.1% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $60K get you in Charleston-North Charleston?
About police and sheriff's patrol officers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Entry-level police and sheriff's patrol officers (10th percentile) start around $49K. Mid-career wages sit at $60K.Top earners bring in $77K or more - a $28K spread from bottom to top.
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $115K | +51% | 65,170 |
| Washington | $103K | +35% | 8,370 |
| Illinois | $102K | +33% | 29,790 |
| Alaska | $100K | +31% | 1,160 |
| New York | $93K | +22% | 54,360 |
| Hawaii | $89K | +17% | 2,390 |
| New Jersey | $89K | +17% | 21,620 |
| District of Columbia | $88K | +16% | 4,830 |
| Oregon | $88K | +16% | 4,950 |
| Pennsylvania | $86K | +13% | 24,280 |
| Minnesota | $83K | +9% | 8,920 |
| Delaware | $83K | +9% | 1,790 |
| Connecticut | $83K | +9% | 6,500 |
| Arizona | $79K | +4% | 12,430 |
| Wisconsin | $79K | +4% | 11,500 |
Track police and sheriff's patrol officers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Charleston-North Charleston numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do police and sheriff's patrol officers make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median is $60,250 a year - that works out to about $28.97 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $49,420, and experienced police and sheriff's patrol officers can clear $77,240. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $60K enough to live in Charleston-North Charleston?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,018/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,787/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 44.5% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a police and sheriff's patrol officers salary go in Charleston-North Charleston?
Charleston-North Charleston has a Regional Price Parity of 100.96 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median police and sheriff's patrol officers salary is worth about $59,677 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do police and sheriff's patrol officers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.