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Salary
Starting salary for a Police Recruit is $62,338 and is paid while you are in the academy.
(*Effective September 19, 2026)
| Position | Minimum | Midpoint | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Police Officer | $62,338 | $67,295 | $72,268 |
| Senior Officer | $68,919 | $85,463 | $102,008 |
| Police Detective | $72,370 | $89,726 | $107,083 |
| Police Sergeant | $88,711 | $106,474 | $124,236 |
Lateral Officer Salary
*New pay structure effective September 19, 2026
| Years of Equivalent Experience |
Salary | Rank |
| Less than 2 years | $64,209 | Police Officer |
| 2 years but less than 4 | $67,418 | First Class Officer |
| 4 years but less than 6 | $70,790 | Master Officer |
| 6 years but less than 8 | $74,329 | Master Officer |
| 8 years but less than 10 | $78,045 | Master Officer |
| 10 years but less than 12 | $81,948 | Master Officer |
Lateral Officer Incentive Program
The program is designed to reward those with previous law enforcement experience who become employed with the Raleigh Police Department and take the Oath of Office with up to $5,000. The following criteria will determine the amount of the incentive to eligible applicants:
- Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) graduate - $2,500
- Less than one year of experience in NC - $2,500
- One (1) year or more of experience in NC - $5,000
- Less than two (2) years of experience outside of NC - $2,500
- Two (2) years or more of experience outside of NC - $5,000
Additional Compensation Opportunities
- Voluntary Paid Supplemental Staffing
- Extra Duty Opportunities
- Secondary Employment Opportunities (Minimum rate of $45/hour)
Benefits
- Annual Education Incentive Program
$660.00 for Associate's Degree
$1,320.00 for Bachelor's Degree - Uniforms and equipment provided
- Eight (8) weeks paid parental leave
- Thirteen (13) paid holidays per calendar year
- Educational Tuition Reimbursement Program for continuing education
- 401K with 5% of salary contributed by City of Raleigh
- Enrollment in NC Local Government Employee's Retirement System
- Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
- Vacation/Sick/Petty Leave
- Disability Income Plan
- Workers' Compensation
- Employee Health & Wellness Center
- Reimbursement Accounts