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Non-commissioned officer salary
Average non-commissioned officer salary
$104,839
Understanding Non-Commissioned Officer Salaries
The salary of a Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) varies based on several factors, including rank, years of service, and geographical location. As of October 2025, the average salary stands at $104,839 annually, translating to approximately $50 per hour. Entry-level NCOs typically earn less, while those with more experience can see significant increases in their pay.
Highest Paying States
States such as California and Virginia offer some of the highest salaries for NCOs, reflecting the cost of living and demand for military professionals in those areas. For example, an NCO in California may earn up to 15% more than the national average.
Opportunities for Advancement
As NCOs gain experience and pursue further training, they can qualify for leadership positions that come with increased responsibilities and higher salaries. Specializing in areas such as logistics, operations, or technical roles can also enhance earning potential. By staying informed about salary trends and actively seeking new opportunities, NCOs can maximize their career outcomes.
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Where can a Non-Commissioned Officer earn more?
Non-commissioned officer salaries by experience level
Average non-commissioned officer salary by state
The average non-commissioned officer salary in Alaska, Virginia, and Washington are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average non-commissioned officer salary states are Iowa, Mississippi, and South Carolina.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for non-commissioned officers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia | $136,199 | $65.48 |
| 2 | North Dakota | $122,958 | $59.11 |
| 3 | Washington | $135,570 | $65.18 |
| 4 | Nevada | $110,888 | $53.31 |
| 5 | Maryland | $124,308 | $59.76 |
| 6 | Rhode Island | $110,357 | $53.06 |
| 7 | New Mexico | $110,194 | $52.98 |
| 8 | Oklahoma | $109,432 | $52.61 |
| 9 | Alaska | $145,696 | $70.05 |
| 10 | District of Columbia | $153,527 | $73.81 |
| 11 | Connecticut | $119,112 | $57.27 |
| 12 | California | $133,864 | $64.36 |
| 13 | New York | $115,903 | $55.72 |
| 14 | Illinois | $115,596 | $55.58 |
| 15 | Missouri | $110,383 | $53.07 |
| 16 | Wisconsin | $102,582 | $49.32 |
| 17 | Georgia | $106,504 | $51.20 |
| 18 | Minnesota | $104,217 | $50.10 |
| 19 | Massachusetts | $108,973 | $52.39 |
| 20 | Alabama | $98,784 | $47.49 |
| 21 | Pennsylvania | $102,497 | $49.28 |
| 22 | Vermont | $100,585 | $48.36 |
| 23 | Wyoming | $106,301 | $51.11 |
| 24 | Louisiana | $103,803 | $49.91 |
| 25 | Oregon | $106,484 | $51.19 |
| 26 | Colorado | $98,637 | $47.42 |
| 27 | Arizona | $94,645 | $45.50 |
| 28 | Kansas | $102,130 | $49.10 |
| 29 | South Dakota | $96,765 | $46.52 |
| 30 | Delaware | $105,577 | $50.76 |
| 31 | Utah | $101,855 | $48.97 |
| 32 | Tennessee | $95,861 | $46.09 |
| 33 | Maine | $92,176 | $44.32 |
| 34 | New Jersey | $96,968 | $46.62 |
| 35 | Idaho | $101,091 | $48.60 |
| 36 | North Carolina | $95,584 | $45.95 |
| 37 | West Virginia | $89,152 | $42.86 |
| 38 | Arkansas | $87,346 | $41.99 |
| 39 | Nebraska | $88,665 | $42.63 |
| 40 | Indiana | $89,389 | $42.98 |
| 41 | Mississippi | $81,227 | $39.05 |
| 42 | Florida | $70,895 | $34.08 |
| 43 | New Hampshire | $87,209 | $41.93 |
| 44 | Ohio | $86,781 | $41.72 |
| 45 | Montana | $93,692 | $45.04 |
| 46 | Texas | $86,620 | $41.64 |
| 47 | Iowa | $81,645 | $39.25 |
| 48 | Michigan | $85,422 | $41.07 |
| 49 | South Carolina | $80,898 | $38.89 |
| 50 | Hawaii | $79,594 | $38.27 |
| 51 | Kentucky | $76,101 | $36.59 |
Highest paying cities for non-commissioned officers
The highest-paying cities for non-commissioned officers are San Francisco, CA, Towson, MD, and New York, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $148,476 | $71.38 |
| 2 | Towson, MD | $124,509 | $59.86 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $116,060 | $55.80 |
| 4 | Chicago, IL | $115,987 | $55.76 |
| 5 | Providence, RI | $110,384 | $53.07 |
| 6 | Morristown, TN | $96,817 | $46.55 |
| 7 | Durham, NC | $96,758 | $46.52 |
| 8 | Dallas, TX | $88,661 | $42.63 |
| 9 | Miami, FL | $66,687 | $32.06 |
Non-commissioned officer salary details
A non-commissioned officer's salary ranges from $77,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $142,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a non-commissioned officer's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $142,000 | $11,833 | $68 |
| 75th Percentile | $123,000 | $10,250 | $59 |
| Average | $104,839 | $8,737 | $50 |
| 25th Percentile | $89,000 | $7,417 | $43 |
| 10th Percentile | $77,000 | $6,417 | $37 |
Highest paying non-commissioned officer jobs
The highest paying types of non-commissioned officers are head of security, liaison officer, and staff officer.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Security | $31,836 | $2,653 | $15.31 | 150,586 |
| Security Guard | $31,983 | $2,665 | $15.38 | 101,728 |
| Sergeant | $48,557 | $4,046 | $23.34 | 79,335 |
| Security Supervisor | $41,818 | $3,485 | $20.10 | 87,236 |
| Military | $51,584 | $4,299 | $24.80 | 7,632 |
| Head Of Security | $154,257 | $12,855 | $74.16 | 92,369 |
Top companies hiring non-commissioned officers now:
Which companies pay non-commissioned officers the most?
Non-commissioned officer salaries at UBS and Credit Suisse are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average non-commissioned officer salary at companies like Liberty Mutual Insurance and United Protective Services are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UBS | $105,240 | $50.60 |
| 2 | Credit Suisse | $103,548 | $49.78 |
| 3 | Liberty Mutual Insurance | $96,146 | $46.22 |
| 4 | United Protective Services | $84,437 | $40.59 |
| 5 | Baltimore County Golf | $72,959 | $35.08 |
| 6 | NC.gov | $49,095 | $23.60 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Non-commissioned officer salary trends
The average non-commissioned officer salary has risen by $24,142 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average non-commissioned officer earned $80,697 annually, but today, they earn $104,839 a year. That works out to a 20% change in pay for non-commissioned officers over the last decade.
Compare non-commissioned officer salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average non-commissioned officer salary over time
Compare non-commissioned officer salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Non-commissioned officer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $105,000 | $50.40 | +4.4% |
| 2025 | $100,000 | $48.18 | +4.0% |
| 2024 | $96,200 | $46.25 | +5.6% |
| 2023 | $90,800 | $43.67 | +4.2% |
| 2022 | $87,000 | $41.83 | +4.4% |
Recently added non-commissioned officer salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Moritz Security Services | Overnight Non-Commissioned Patrol Officer (National Accounts) | Alvarado, TX | 06/20/2025 | $35,479 |
| Champaign County, Il | Master Control Officer, Non-Exempt | Urbana, IL | 05/11/2025 | $38,985 |
| Champaign County, Il | Master Control Officer, Non-Exempt | Urbana, IL | 03/21/2025 | $38,985 |
| Champaign County, Il | Master Control Officer, Non-Exempt | Urbana, IL | 02/25/2025 | $38,985 |
| State of South Carolina | BPS Non-Certified Basic Class III Officer | Blythewood, SC | 02/22/2025 | $46,087 |
| Schiller | Federal Trade Commission Approves New Non-Compete Clause Rule | Scotch Plains, NJ | 02/17/2025 | $151,164 |
| Tag Alliances | Federal Trade Commission Commits To Nationwide BAN On Noncompetition Covenants | Malone, NY | 02/17/2025 | $151,164 |
| Unruh Turner Burke & Frees | Federal Trade Commission Issues Final Rule Banning Most Non-Compete Clauses | Chester, PA | 02/16/2025 | $151,164 |
| Ellis County, Tx | Community Supervision Officer (CSO) Non-Exempt | Waxahachie, TX | 01/29/2025 | $53,000 |
| JLAN Solutions | Army Non-Commissioned Officer SME | Washington, DC | 01/23/2025 | $93,915 |
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