Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in Columbia, SC
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $59,260 a year ($28.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,840 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,840 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $76,210. Pay here is 2% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $58,070. There are 7.2 police and sheriff's patrol officers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $65,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,650 | $22.43 |
| 25th percentile | $48,000 | $23.08 |
| Median | $59,260 | $28.49 |
| 75th percentile | $75,700 | $36.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,840 | $47.52 |
| Average (mean) | $65,560 | $31.52 |
Half of police and sheriff's patrol officers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,938.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,469.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,279.23 |
| Weekly | $1,139.62 |
| Hourly | $28.49 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $59,260 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $63,190 | 5,770 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $62,070 | 910 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $60,570 | 2,320 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $59,240 | 540 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $58,390 | 1,120 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $57,780 | 1,910 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $57,030 | 720 |
| Sumter, SC | $54,940 | 210 |
| Florence, SC | $48,710 | 490 |
Highest-paying states for police and sheriff's patrol officers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $118,880 |
| Washington | $102,080 |
| Illinois | $100,520 |
| Alaska | $99,130 |
| Colorado | $97,350 |
| Delaware | $92,970 |
| New York | $92,790 |
| New Jersey | $92,610 |
| District of Columbia | $88,650 |
| Oregon | $88,140 |
See Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $44,860 | $21.57 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $66,340 | $31.89 |
| Security Guard | $35,140 | $16.90 |
| Firefighter | $36,960 | $17.77 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $73,450 | $35.31 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $26,720 | $12.85 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $43,140 | $20.74 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $61,830 | $29.73 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $32,690 | $15.72 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $48,000 | $23.08 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $51,630 | $24.82 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $85,820 | $41.26 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $64,150 | $30.84 |
| Animal Control Worker | $41,740 | $20.07 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-3051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a police and sheriff's patrol officers make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for police and sheriff's patrol officers in the Columbia, SC metro area is $59,260 a year, or $28.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid police and sheriff's patrol officers make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of police and sheriff's patrol officers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $98,840 a year. The top 25% earn $75,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,650 a year, and a quarter of police and sheriff's patrol officers earn $48,000 or less.
How many police and sheriff's patrol officers work in Columbia, SC?
About 2,840 police and sheriff's patrol officers are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.