Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers Salary in Wilmington, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Wilmington, NC

Median annual salary $53,600 -29.7% vs national
Median hourly $25.77
10th percentile $47,040
90th percentile $74,050
Employed locally 1,050
National median $76,290

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Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
in
Wilmington, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $47,040
    25th
    $48,620
    50th (median)
    $53,600
    75th
    $59,880
    90th
    $74,050

    Wilmington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $73,687 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
    Anchorage, AK $110,180
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $97,070
    Lincoln, NE $92,610
    Lancaster, PA $88,870
    Grand Junction, CO $85,960

    Related occupations in Wilmington, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $38,480
    Firefighters $37,400
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $48,240
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers $64,550
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $24,740
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators $62,210

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Wilmington, NC is $25.77, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $34.89 or more per hour.

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

    The median Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in Wilmington, NC is 29.7% 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 Wilmington?

    Entry-level Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (10th percentile) earn around $47,040 per year in Wilmington, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $48,620.