Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in North Carolina
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in North Carolina earn a median of $59,300 a year ($28.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 22,370 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,240 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $76,210. North Carolina ranks 42nd of 51 states for police and sheriff's patrol officers pay. There are 4.5 police and sheriff's patrol officers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $61,390, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for police and sheriff's patrol officers in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,040 | $22.14 |
| 25th percentile | $49,460 | $23.78 |
| Median | $59,300 | $28.51 |
| 75th percentile | $72,700 | $34.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,240 | $38.58 |
| Average (mean) | $61,390 | $29.51 |
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 | $4,941.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,470.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,280.77 |
| Weekly | $1,140.38 |
| Hourly | $28.51 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $59,300 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $65,860 | 2,430 |
| Burlington, NC | $65,700 | 370 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $63,190 | 5,770 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $62,750 | 390 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $60,830 | 1,700 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $60,100 | 1,040 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $59,690 | 4,320 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $59,540 | 440 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $58,560 | 170 |
| Asheville, NC | $58,090 | 710 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $57,440 | 1,310 |
| Greenville, NC | $57,190 | 520 |
| Wilmington, NC | $53,520 | 1,210 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $52,260 | 770 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $48,160 | 740 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $46,570 | 210 |
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.
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $50,550 | $24.30 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $63,280 | $30.43 |
| Bailiff | $56,100 | $26.97 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $61,430 | $29.53 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $42,410 | $20.39 |
| Security Guard | $35,010 | $16.83 |
| Firefighter | $37,940 | $18.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $59,560 | $28.64 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,310 | $13.13 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $91,100 | $43.80 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $33,730 | $16.21 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $57,390 | $27.59 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $52,890 | $25.43 |
| School Bus Monitor | $32,970 | $15.85 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for police and sheriff's patrol officers in North Carolina is $59,300 a year, or $28.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid police and sheriff's patrol officers make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of police and sheriff's patrol officers in North Carolina earn at least $80,240 a year. The top 25% earn $72,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for police and sheriff's patrol officers in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,040 a year, and a quarter of police and sheriff's patrol officers earn $49,460 or less.
How many police and sheriff's patrol officers work in North Carolina?
About 22,370 police and sheriff's patrol officers are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.