Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers Salary in North Carolina
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in North Carolina earn a median annual wage of $59,300 —22.2% below the national median of $76,210. That ranks NC #42 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment concentration (1.05×) is close to the national average.
Highest-paying states for police and sheriff's patrol officers
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. North Carolina is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $118,880 | $57.15 | 65,940 | 0.84 |
| 2 | Washington | $102,080 | $49.08 | 9,160 | 0.60 |
| 3 | Illinois | $100,520 | $48.33 | 29,180 | 1.11 |
| 4 | Alaska | $99,130 | $47.66 | 1,260 | 0.90 |
| 5 | Colorado | $97,350 | $46.81 | 9,610 | 0.78 |
| 6 | Delaware | $92,970 | $44.70 | 1,800 | 0.86 |
| 7 | New York | $92,790 | $44.61 | 53,470 | 1.28 |
| 8 | New Jersey | $92,610 | $44.53 | 21,780 | 1.18 |
| 9 | District of Columbia | $88,650 | $42.62 | 4,720 | 1.56 |
| 10 | Oregon | $88,140 | $42.38 | 5,030 | 0.59 |
Related occupations in North Carolina
Occupations in the same job family, compared within North Carolina.
| Occupation | North Carolina median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guards | $35,010 | $38,020 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $50,550 | $58,940 |
| Firefighters | $37,940 | $59,280 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,310 | $33,580 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $91,100 | $106,040 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $63,280 | $93,790 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do police and sheriff's patrol officers make in North Carolina?
The median annual wage for police and sheriff's patrol officers in North Carolina is $59,300, or $28.51 per hour. That is 22.2% below the national median of $76,210.
What is the entry-level police and sheriff's patrol officers salary in North Carolina?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $46,040 per year ($22.14/hour). The 25th percentile is $49,460.
How many people work as police and sheriff's patrol officers in North Carolina?
About 22,370 people work in this occupation in North Carolina, or 4.5 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is North Carolina a good state for police and sheriff's patrol officers?
North Carolina ranks #42 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment concentration (1.05x) is close to the national average.
Which state pays police and sheriff's patrol officers the most?
California has the highest median wage at $118,880 per year, followed by Washington ($102,080) and Illinois ($100,520).