Police Officer Hourly Pay in Richmond, VA: $31.07 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Richmond, VA runs $31.07 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,639 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Richmond's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.9, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,779 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
As of 2026, police officers in Richmond, Virginia, earn a median hourly pay of $31.07, which falls significantly below the national median of $37.76. This hourly wage presents a different picture for those considering part-time work, as those on a three-day workweek could average roughly $1,199.68 weekly before deductions, making various shifts across typical settings such as patrol vehicles, courtrooms, and special operations. For entry-level positions, hourly pay starts around $26.39, while more experienced officers might earn as much as $47.68. These figures reflect official projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data and convey the local demands and financial realities of police work in Richmond.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.39 | $211.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.15 | $233.16 |
| Median (P50) | $31.07 | $248.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.86 | $302.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.68 | $381.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Richmond
Based on $31.07/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.07/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Richmond, VA can expect to earn approximately $64,631 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,287. With a cost-of-living index of 97.86 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Richmond.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Richmond
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,242.90 | $5,386 | $64,631 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $745.74 | $3,232 | $38,779 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $497.16 | $2,154 | $25,852 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Richmond) | $31.07 |
| 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 Richmond, VA earn a median of $64,639 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.70% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 6.40% above the Virginia state average of $60,751.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.07/hr = $38,779/year (purchasing power: $39,627).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,631/year (purchasing power: $66,046).
CoL index: 97.858 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.77/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.15/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.07/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.77/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.59/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.12/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.04/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.15/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.07/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.02/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Richmond grew 17.0% from $25.77/hr (2019) to $30.15/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.02/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 Richmond 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 Richmond
Examining the earning potential reveals a complex landscape for police officers. A part-time officer working 24 hours per week could expect to take home approximately $62,652 annually, compared to full-time counterparts, who earn significantly more with mandatory overtime contributing up to 50% to base pay. Officers in Richmond might also participate in per diem assignments, where rates can range from $35 to $75 per hour for additional services like event security, affecting overall compensation. Different employers, including municipal and federal entities, impact hourly rates, with higher wages in federal law enforcement roles. While some officers choose positions with lower hourly rates for comprehensive health benefits, others might prioritize higher independent rates. Negotiation skills can significantly influence outcomes for hourly workers, particularly within the diverse employer types in Richmond, enhancing their potential earnings in this essential field.
More salary data for Richmond, 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 Richmond. 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, 7-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