Police Officer Hourly Pay in Charlottesville, VA: $30.17 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Charlottesville, VA runs $30.17 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,743 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Charlottesville's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.1, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,647 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Charlottesville, Virginia, a police officer makes a median hourly pay of $30.17, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $37.76. This disparity is reflective of the cost of living and local budget constraints, impacting part-time and per-diem opportunities for officers. For those working part-time, say three days a week, the flexible schedule offers a unique chance for work-life balance while operating in various environments, such as patrol vehicles, police station booking rooms, and special task force settings. The hourly pay can range from $25.46 for entry-level positions to as high as $43.45 for experienced officers, making police officer hourly pay in Charlottesville competitive, though still below the national average.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.46 | $203.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.84 | $214.69 |
| Median (P50) | $30.17 | $241.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.28 | $290.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.45 | $347.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charlottesville
Based on $30.17/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.17/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charlottesville, VA can expect to earn approximately $62,745 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,199. With a cost-of-living index of 99.15 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Charlottesville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charlottesville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,206.63 | $5,229 | $62,745 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $723.98 | $3,137 | $37,647 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $482.65 | $2,091 | $25,098 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Charlottesville) | $30.17 |
| Firefighter (National Avg) | $28.13 |
| Detective / Criminal Investigator (National Avg) | $45.86 |
| Correctional Officer (National Avg) | $25.24 |
| Security Guard (National Avg) | $17.32 |
Police Officers in Charlottesville, VA earn a median of $62,743 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.12% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 3.30% above the Virginia state average of $60,739.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.17/hr = $37,647/year (purchasing power: $37,971).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,745/year (purchasing power: $63,285).
CoL index: 99.146 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.25/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.27/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.17/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Charlottesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.25/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.79/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.17/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.27/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.17/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.09/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Charlottesville grew 20.7% from $24.25/hr (2019) to $29.27/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.09/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem police officers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charlottesville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.06% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Police Officer in Charlottesville
When analyzing the potential earnings for officers in Charlottesville, part-time work translates into significant annual earnings differences compared to full-time positions. An officer working a typical part-time schedule of 24 hours per week may see a substantially lower overall take-home pay. Additionally, the reality of police work includes opportunities for per diem positions that vary widely, with off-duty work often paying more than regular shifts due to mandatory overtime and specialty details. These assignments can yield rates of $35-$75 per hour, creating attractive options for officers seeking additional income. The variety in hourly pay reflects differences between municipal police departments, county sheriff's offices, and federal agencies, each offering unique benefits and pay structures. Consequently, some officers may choose lower hourly pay for the comprehensive benefits such as health insurance that municipal jobs provide. Understanding the nuances of these choices and the broader economic context is vital for effective career advancement in law enforcement.
More salary data for Charlottesville, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for police officers in Charlottesville in 2026?
How much do part-time police officers make in Charlottesville?
Are police officers in Charlottesville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time police officer make per year in Charlottesville?
Do police officers earn more per hour working part-time in Charlottesville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Virginia
Written by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in law enforcement. They specialize in community policing strategies. Jordan works with a municipal police department.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for police officers in Charlottesville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for police officers (SOC 33-3051).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice, a licensed police officer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov