verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Police Officer Salary in South Carolina

Median Annual in South Carolina
$58,070/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$27.92/hr
▼ 24% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in South Carolina

groups Employed in SC
12,930
public U.S. Median
$76,210
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$61,942 #46 of 51

Police Officer pay in South Carolina, explained

Police officers in South Carolina earn a median of $58,070 per year ($27.92 per hour), which is 24% below the national median of $76,210. Entry-level workers earn around $45,060, while the most experienced police officers reach about $78,760. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within South Carolina.

Is $58,070 good pay in South Carolina?

Adjusted for South Carolina's cost of living (which runs 94% of the U.S. average), that $58,070 is worth about $61,942 in national buying power — ranking South Carolina #46 for real pay (vs #46 on the sticker number).

See the full Police Officer Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Police Officer pay by experience in South Carolina

Entry level (10th pct)
$45,060
$21.66/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$58,070
$27.92/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$78,760
$37.87/hr

Police Officer pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs SC
South Carolina (here) $58,070 $61,942
North Carolina $59,300 $62,867 −$1,230
Georgia $58,120 $60,357 −$50

Police Officer in South Carolina: FAQ

How much do police officers make in South Carolina?

Police officers in South Carolina earn a median of $58,070 per year ($27.92 per hour), compared with $76,210 nationally.

Does South Carolina pay police officers well?

At $58,070, South Carolina pays 24% below the national median for police officers. An estimated 12,930 work in the state.

Police Officer salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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