North Carolina Median
$59,300
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.51
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-22% vs US median
US median $76,210
State Rank
#42 of 51
22,370 employed here
How much do Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers make in North Carolina?
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers working in North Carolina earn a median salary of $59,300 per year, or about $28.51 per hour. That is 22% below the national median of $76,210 for this occupation.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $46,040 while the top 10% make $80,240 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $49,460 and $72,700 a year.
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,040 | $22.13 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $49,460 | $23.78 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $59,300 | $28.51 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $72,700 | $34.95 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,240 | $38.58 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 42nd out of 51 states and territories for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in other states
California $118,880Washington $102,080Illinois $100,520Alaska $99,130Colorado $97,350Delaware $92,970New York $92,790New Jersey $92,610District of Columbia $88,650Oregon $88,140Pennsylvania $85,470Hawaii $83,820Minnesota $83,360Connecticut $82,170Massachusetts $78,940Arizona $78,880Nevada $78,140Wisconsin $78,090Maryland $77,970Utah $77,310Rhode Island $77,230Ohio $77,020Texas $75,900Nebraska $74,620North Dakota $74,500Florida $74,470Iowa $74,470Michigan $73,730Indiana $73,370New Hampshire $71,640Montana $70,050New Mexico $69,180Vermont $68,910Maine $67,050Idaho $66,990Wyoming $66,140Virginia $65,870South Dakota $60,740Kentucky $60,490Oklahoma $59,700Missouri $59,460Tennessee $59,280Kansas $59,230Georgia $58,120South Carolina $58,070West Virginia $56,960Alabama $51,270Louisiana $48,380Arkansas $47,670Mississippi $46,140
Working as Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in North Carolina
Nationally, about 671,000 people work as Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare North Carolina pay ($59,300) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers make in North Carolina?
The median Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in North Carolina is $59,300 per year, or about $28.51 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $46,040 at the entry level to $80,240 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers about 22% less than the national median of $76,210. North Carolina ranks 42nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $59,300 a year. About 22,370 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers are employed in North Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.