State police · South Carolina
South Carolina Highway Patrol pay scale Trooper Trainee (Certified)
A trooper trainee (certified) with South Carolina Highway Patrol starts at $62,854 and reaches $82,234 at top step.
Base pay only. Overtime, longevity and incentive pay are extra.
Key figures
- Academy pay
- $61,976
- Starting pay
- $62,854
- After probation
- Not in our data
- Top step
- $82,234
- Years to top
- 15 years
Annual 'Total Salary' figures as published for Troops 1-7.
Trooper Trainee (Certified) step table
| Step | Years | Published rate | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trooper Trainee (Certified) | — | $62,854 | $62,854 |
| Trooper First Class | — | $63,731 | $63,731 |
| Senior Trooper | — | $65,201 | $65,201 |
| Lance Corporal | — | $69,523 | $69,523 |
| Lance Corporal (+3 Years) | — | $72,163 | $72,163 |
| Master Trooper | — | $74,912 | $74,912 |
| Master Trooper (+3 Years) | — | $78,484 | $78,484 |
| Master Trooper (+5 Years) | — | $82,234 | $82,234 |
Shift, hiring and lateral pay
- Hiring bonus
- $10,000 sign-on bonus for field troopers in Critical Market Areas, paid in five installments (first $1,500 after training)
- Lateral officers
- Up to 15 years of certified law enforcement service may be credited for higher starting pay
Notes
This career ladder covers troopers assigned to Troops 1-7; Troops 8-10 follow a different structure. Non-certified trainees earn $61,976, and pay climbs by service time to $82,234 for a Master Trooper with five years in rank (15 years total). A $10,000 sign-on bonus applies in select critical-need areas.
Frequently asked questions
What is the starting salary for a South Carolina Highway Patrol trooper trainee (certified)?
Base pay starts at $62,854 a year, before overtime and incentives. Annual 'Total Salary' figures as published for Troops 1-7.
How much does a South Carolina Highway Patrol trooper trainee (certified) make at top step?
Top-step base pay is $82,234 a year, reached after about 15 years on the schedule. Longevity, overtime and incentive pay are extra.
Are South Carolina Highway Patrol recruits paid during the academy?
Yes. The official source gives academy pay of $61,976 a year.
Does South Carolina Highway Patrol offer a hiring bonus?
$10,000 sign-on bonus for field troopers in Critical Market Areas, paid in five installments (first $1,500 after training)
Does South Carolina Highway Patrol hire lateral officers with a bonus?
Up to 15 years of certified law enforcement service may be credited for higher starting pay
Sources and last checked
Last verified
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