Police Officer salary in North Carolina
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A Police Officer in North Carolina earns a median of $59,300 a year ($28.51/hour equivalent), 22.2% below the national median of $76,210. North Carolina ranks #42 of 51 states. About 22,370 people do this job in North Carolina.
Take-home pay in North Carolina
At the North Carolina median, a single filer keeps about $47,970 a year after federal, FICA and North Carolina taxes — $1,845 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the North Carolina paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $2,280.77
- Federal income tax
- −$189.85
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$141.41
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$33.07
- North Carolina income tax
- −$71.44
- Take-home pay
- $1,845.01
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $59,300
- Federal
- $4,936
- FICA
- $4,536
- State + local
- $1,857
- Net
- $47,970
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 4.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How North Carolina compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | California | $118,880 |
| #2 | Washington | $102,080 |
| #3 | Illinois | $100,520 |
| #4 | Alaska | $99,130 |
| #5 | Colorado | $97,350 |
| #42 | North Carolina | $59,300 |
| #49 | Louisiana | $48,380 |
| #50 | Arkansas | $47,670 |
| #51 | Mississippi | $46,140 |
See the national Police Officer salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (SOC 33-3051), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Police Officer make in North Carolina?
The median salary is $59,300 a year and the average is $61,390 (BLS May 2025).
Is North Carolina a good state for police and sheriff's patrol officers?
North Carolina ranks #42 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 22% below the national median of $76,210.
What is $59,300 after taxes in North Carolina?
About $47,970 a year ($1,845 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.