Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers Salary in North Carolina
The median pay for a police and sheriff's patrol officers in North Carolina is $58,030/year ($27.9/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $45K at the entry level to $81K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $58K get you in North Carolina?
About police and sheriff's patrol officers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, North Carolina
Entry-level police and sheriff's patrol officers (10th percentile) start around $45K. Mid-career wages sit at $58K.Top earners bring in $81K or more - a $36K 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 North Carolina numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do police and sheriff's patrol officers make in North Carolina?
The median is $58,030 a year - that works out to about $27.9 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $44,850, and experienced police and sheriff's patrol officers can clear $80,920. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $58K enough to live in North Carolina?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,838/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $1,348/month (median of metro areas), which eats 35.1% 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 North Carolina?
North Carolina has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median police and sheriff's patrol officers salary is worth about $58,030 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.