Police Officer Hourly Pay in Lake Ridge, VA: $27.99 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Lake Ridge, VA runs $27.99 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,227 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Lake Ridge's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $27.12 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,933 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lake Ridge, Virginia, police officers earn a median hourly pay of $27.99, which falls significantly below the national median of $37.76. This disparity highlights the financial realities faced by law enforcement professionals in the area. For those considering part-time positions or per-diem opportunities, typical roles might include patrolling assigned beats, managing administrative tasks in police stations, or providing court testimony. With entry-level officers starting at around $17.85 per hour and the top earners making up to $41.02, there is a clear gradient in pay that reflects experience and role complexity. These hourly figures are derived from annual salary data and illustrate the variability within the profession based on factors like location and specific duties assigned.
About the Lake Ridge Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.85 | $142.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.80 | $174.38 |
| Median (P50) | $27.99 | $223.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.51 | $284.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.02 | $328.14 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lake Ridge
Based on $27.99/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.99/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lake Ridge, VA can expect to earn approximately $58,221 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,589. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Lake Ridge.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lake Ridge
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,119.64 | $4,852 | $58,221 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $671.79 | $2,911 | $34,933 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $447.86 | $1,941 | $23,289 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Lake Ridge) | $27.99 |
| 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 Lake Ridge, VA earn a median of $58,227 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.87% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 4.20% below the Virginia state average of $60,780.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.99/hr = $34,933/year (purchasing power: $33,850).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,221/year (purchasing power: $56,416).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$22.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.16/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.99/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Lake Ridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.51/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.36/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.45/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.76/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.48/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.16/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.99/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.85/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Lake Ridge grew 20.7% from $22.51/hr (2019) to $27.16/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.85/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 Lake Ridge 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 Lake Ridge
When analyzing the earning potential for part-time officers in Lake Ridge, it becomes apparent that working three days a week can lead to significantly lower annual earnings compared to a full-time role. While a traditional full-time schedule allows for overtime that can boost earnings upwards of 20-50%, part-time work might not afford the same financial benefits. Additionally, police officers often have opportunities for extra-duty assignments, such as event security or detail work, which can increase income to rates ranging from $35 to $75 per hour. Employers vary from municipal departments to federal law enforcement, leading to noticeable differences in pay scales. Officers may accept lower hourly rates with benefits like health insurance, or opt for higher rates without such perks, reflecting the classic trade-off in this field. Knowledge of local pay trends and negotiation tactics can empower police officers to secure improved financial arrangements in Lake Ridge.
More salary data for Lake Ridge, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Lake Ridge. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lake Ridge is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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