Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers Salary in Virginia
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Virginia earn a median annual wage of $65,870 —13.6% below the national median of $76,210. That ranks VA #37 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment concentration (1.13×) is close to the national average.
Highest-paying states for police and sheriff's patrol officers
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. Virginia is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $118,880 | $57.15 | 65,940 | 0.84 |
| 2 | Washington | $102,080 | $49.08 | 9,160 | 0.60 |
| 3 | Illinois | $100,520 | $48.33 | 29,180 | 1.11 |
| 4 | Alaska | $99,130 | $47.66 | 1,260 | 0.90 |
| 5 | Colorado | $97,350 | $46.81 | 9,610 | 0.78 |
| 6 | Delaware | $92,970 | $44.70 | 1,800 | 0.86 |
| 7 | New York | $92,790 | $44.61 | 53,470 | 1.28 |
| 8 | New Jersey | $92,610 | $44.53 | 21,780 | 1.18 |
| 9 | District of Columbia | $88,650 | $42.62 | 4,720 | 1.56 |
| 10 | Oregon | $88,140 | $42.38 | 5,030 | 0.59 |
Related occupations in Virginia
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Virginia.
| Occupation | Virginia median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guards | $43,640 | $38,020 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $50,140 | $58,940 |
| Firefighters | $58,670 | $59,280 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $30,070 | $33,580 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $101,230 | $106,040 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $112,760 | $93,790 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do police and sheriff's patrol officers make in Virginia?
The median annual wage for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Virginia is $65,870, or $31.67 per hour. That is 13.6% below the national median of $76,210.
What is the entry-level police and sheriff's patrol officers salary in Virginia?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $50,000 per year ($24.04/hour). The 25th percentile is $58,140.
How many people work as police and sheriff's patrol officers in Virginia?
About 19,970 people work in this occupation in Virginia, or 4.9 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Virginia a good state for police and sheriff's patrol officers?
Virginia ranks #37 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment concentration (1.13x) is close to the national average.
Which state pays police and sheriff's patrol officers the most?
California has the highest median wage at $118,880 per year, followed by Washington ($102,080) and Illinois ($100,520).