State comparison · 2025
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary: California vs South Carolina
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in California earn a median of $118,880. In South Carolina, $58,070. After cost-of-living, the gap is 73.3% — not 104.7%.
Nominal pay gap
+104.7%
California vs South Carolina
COL-adjusted gap
+73.3%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
California
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
- Median
- $118,880
- p25
- $97,280
- p75
- $126,780
- p10
- $76,300
- p90
- $153,190
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 110.7
South Carolina
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
- Median
- $58,070
- p25
- $48,570
- p75
- $68,190
- p10
- $45,060
- p90
- $78,760
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 93.7
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.