How much does a North Carolina state trooper make?

On the North Carolina State Highway Patrol pay schedule in effect July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, base salary runs from $51,852 as a cadet on hire to $92,290 at 6 or more years of experience.

What is the starting salary for a North Carolina state trooper?

$51,852 a year as a cadet on hire. Salary upon graduation from Basic School: $63,250.

North Carolina state trooper salary, 2026

What the North Carolina State Highway Patrol pays a state trooper at each step, as the agency publishes it. In effect July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.

Salary upon graduation from Basic School

$63,250

$51,852 as a cadet on hire. $92,290 at 6 or more years of experience.

Base salary at each step

Yearly base salary, without overtime, as printed on the schedule. The page heads the rows "Years of Experience" under "Hiring Salary rates". It does not say whether that means years as a trooper or earlier experience.

Cadet, on hire$51,852

Cadet, at start of Basic School$60,238

Upon graduation$63,250

1 year of experience$67,361

2 years of experience$71,739

3 years of experience$76,403

4 years of experience$81,368

5 years of experience$86,657

6+ years of experience$92,290

Not published

Monthly pay, overtime pay, sergeant pay, bonuses and stipends are not on the page. It does not give how many troopers are at each step or what any trooper was actually paid.

Common questions

How much does a North Carolina state trooper make?: On the North Carolina State Highway Patrol pay schedule in effect July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, base salary runs from $51,852 as a cadet on hire to $92,290 at 6 or more years of experience.
What is the starting salary for a North Carolina state trooper?: $51,852 a year as a cadet on hire. Salary upon graduation from Basic School: $63,250.

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Source: North Carolina State Highway Patrol, careers page, hiring salary rates for 2026-2027. Read Nov 15, 2026.