South Carolina Median
$58,070
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.92
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-24% vs US median
US median $76,210
State Rank
#46 of 51
12,930 employed here
How much do Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers make in South Carolina?
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in South Carolina take home a median of $58,070 annually — roughly $27.92 an hour — which runs 24% below the national median of $76,210.
Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $45,060 while the top 10% make $78,760 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,570 and $68,190 a year.
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary range in South Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,060 | $21.66 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $48,570 | $23.35 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $58,070 | $27.92 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $68,190 | $32.78 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,760 | $37.87 |
|
How South Carolina compares
South Carolina ranks 46th 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 $59,460North Carolina $59,300Tennessee $59,280Kansas $59,230Georgia $58,120West Virginia $56,960Alabama $51,270Louisiana $48,380Arkansas $47,670Mississippi $46,140
Working as Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in South 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 South Carolina pay ($58,070) 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 South Carolina?
The median Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in South Carolina is $58,070 per year, or about $27.92 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $45,060 at the entry level to $78,760 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers about 24% less than the national median of $76,210. South Carolina ranks 46th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $58,070 a year. About 12,930 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers are employed in South 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 South Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in South Carolina include General Internal Medicine Physician ($359,500), Neurologist ($352,680), Emergency Medicine Physician ($341,960), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary report
Related salaries
$59,280
median pay · 346,000 employed
$56,600
median pay · 17,000 employed
$93,790
median pay · 114,000 employed
$55,940
median pay · 81,000 employed
$58,940
median pay · 381,000 employed
$46,730
median pay · 9,000 employed
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.