Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers Salary in Charleston, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Charleston-North Charleston, SC

Median annual salary $60,250 -21% vs national
Median hourly $28.97
10th percentile $49,420
90th percentile $77,240
Employed locally 2,340
National median $76,290

Compare Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Charleston, SC stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
in
Charleston, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $49,420
    25th
    $53,170
    50th (median)
    $60,250
    75th
    $71,560
    90th
    $77,240

    Charleston economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $82,272 2023 • Census ACS
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary vs area income 73% Median Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary is 27% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $150,650
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $133,190
    Carson City, NV $131,210
    Napa, CA $128,980
    Vallejo, CA $128,470
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $123,140

    Nearby metros — Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $133,190
    Wisconsin $78,980
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $77,380
    Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ $75,220
    Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA $74,070
    Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $70,780

    Related occupations in Charleston, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards$36,150
    Firefighters$46,470
    Correctional Officers and Jailers$49,900
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$34,510
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$82,620
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$74,150

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers make per hour in Charleston?

    The median hourly wage for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Charleston, SC is $28.97, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.50 or more per hour.

    Is Charleston above or below average for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salaries?

    The median Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in Charleston, SC is 21% below the national median of $76,290. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Charleston?

    Entry-level Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (10th percentile) earn around $49,420 per year in Charleston, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $53,170.