Public Service Charleston, SC Pop. 150,227

Police Officer Salary in Charleston, South Carolina

The median police officer salary in Charleston, SC is $65,790 per year, which is 0.0% above the national median and 12.4% above the South Carolina state average.

City Median
$65,790
vs State Avg
+$7,237
vs National
+$0
Cost of Living
100%

Police Officer Salary in Charleston by Experience

In Charleston, an entry-level police officer earns around $42,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $98,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 100% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$42,000
+$0 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$66,000
+$0 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$98,000
+$0 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Charleston, SC

Percentile Charleston
10th Percentile $40,400
25th Percentile $51,200
Median (50th) $65,790
75th Percentile $87,200
90th Percentile $106,000

Police Officer Salary in Other South Carolina Cities

Mount Pleasant, SC
$69,080
Pop. 94,171
North Charleston, SC
$62,501
Pop. 115,382
Greenville, SC
$60,527
Pop. 72,095
Columbia, SC
$59,211
Pop. 131,674

How to Become a Police Officer in Charleston

Education

Most police officer positions require a high school diploma. Charleston and the surrounding South Carolina area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Law EnforcementEmergency ResponseReport WritingDe-escalationPhysical FitnessCommunity Policing

Job Outlook

Nationally, police officer employment is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Charleston may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Police Officer Jobs in Charleston

Browse open police officer positions in Charleston, SC:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Police Officer Salary in Charleston

How much does a Police Officer make in Charleston, SC? ▼
The median police officer salary in Charleston, South Carolina is $65,790 per year, which is 0.0% above the national median of $65,790. Salaries range from $40,400 (10th percentile) to $106,000 (90th percentile).
How much does a Police Officer make per hour in Charleston? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $65,790, a police officer in Charleston earns approximately $32 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Charleston compare to the South Carolina state average for police officer pay? ▼
Charleston's median police officer salary of $65,790 is 12.4% above the South Carolina state average of $58,553. The local cost of living index is 100% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Charleston, SC? ▼
Charleston has a cost of living index of 100% compared to the national average. This means a police officer salary of $65,790 in Charleston has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a police officer in Charleston? ▼
Most police officer positions in Charleston require a high school diploma. Key skills include Law Enforcement, Emergency Response, Report Writing, De-escalation. The job market is projected to grow 3% nationally over the next decade.