Police officer salary in South Carolina

Police officers in South Carolina earn a median $58,070 a year. That's 24% below the national median, ranking South Carolina #45 of 50 states.

Median pay
$58,070
Median hourly
$27.92
Typical range
$45,060–$78,760
Jobs
12,930

Pay range

Annual pay percentiles for police officers in South Carolina
PercentileAnnual payU.S.
10th (entry level)$45,060$47,510
25th$48,570$59,290
Median$58,070$76,210
75th$68,190$97,600
90th (top earners)$78,760$115,120

Compare other states

  1. 1California$118,880
  2. 2Washington$102,080
  3. 3Illinois$100,520
  4. 4Alaska$99,130
  5. 5Colorado$97,350
  6. 6Delaware$92,970
  7. 7New York$92,790
  8. 8New Jersey$92,610
  9. –District of Columbia$88,650
  10. 9Oregon$88,140
  11. 10Pennsylvania$85,470
  12. 11Hawaii$83,820
  13. 12Minnesota$83,360
  14. 13Connecticut$82,170
  15. 14Massachusetts$78,940
  16. 15Arizona$78,880
  17. 16Nevada$78,140
  18. 17Wisconsin$78,090
  19. 18Maryland$77,970
  20. 19Utah$77,310
  21. 20Rhode Island$77,230
  22. 21Ohio$77,020
  23. 22Texas$75,900
  24. 23Nebraska$74,620
  25. 24North Dakota$74,500
  26. 25Florida$74,470
  27. 26Iowa$74,470
  28. 27Michigan$73,730
  29. 28Indiana$73,370
  30. 29New Hampshire$71,640
  31. 30Montana$70,050
  32. 31New Mexico$69,180
  33. 32Vermont$68,910
  34. 33Maine$67,050
  35. 34Idaho$66,990
  36. 35Wyoming$66,140
  37. 36Virginia$65,870
  38. 37South Dakota$60,740
  39. 38Kentucky$60,490
  40. 39Oklahoma$59,700
  41. 40Missouri$59,460
  42. 41North Carolina$59,300
  43. 42Tennessee$59,280
  44. 43Kansas$59,230
  45. 44Georgia$58,120
  46. 45South Carolina$58,070
  47. 46West Virginia$56,960
  48. 47Alabama$51,270
  49. 48Louisiana$48,380
  50. 49Arkansas$47,670
  51. 50Mississippi$46,140
  52. –Puerto Rico$45,510

Start training

See what the work is like and how long training takes, then compare schools in South Carolina.

Criminal justice programs in South CarolinaHow to become a police officer

Frequently asked questions

How much do police officers make in South Carolina?

The median pay for police officers in South Carolina is $58,070 a year ($27.92 an hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $45,060, and the top 10% earn over $78,760.

Is South Carolina a good state for police officers?

South Carolina ranks #45 of 50 states for median police officer pay, 24% below the national median of $76,210. Living costs vary a lot by state, so compare pay with local housing costs.

How can a police officer earn more?

Pay rises with experience, certifications, specialized skills, overtime and willingness to travel. Union jobs and employers in high-cost metro areas often pay more. Our guide on how to become a police officer covers the certifications that matter most.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers, SOC 33-3051). Figures exclude self-employed workers.