Police Officer Hourly Pay in Staunton, VA: $28.06 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Staunton, VA runs $28.06 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,373 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Staunton's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.1, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,023 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Staunton, Virginia, the projected police officer hourly pay for 2026 stands at $28.06, considerably lower than the national median of $37.76. This hourly rate reflects the financial landscape for officers working various shifts, whether on a typical beat, engaging in community policing, or participating in special units such as SWAT. Entry-level officers earn around $24.29 per hour, while the top earners in the police force can make up to $39.06 per hour. Those in part-time roles, such as working three days a week, find this compensation structure directly influences their financial stability. Police officers often work in diverse environments, including patrol vehicles, booking rooms, or during court testimonies, which can impact their work-life balance, especially for those considering per diem work as an alternative.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.29 | $194.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.88 | $215.02 |
| Median (P50) | $28.06 | $224.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.17 | $241.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.06 | $312.48 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Staunton
Based on $28.06/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.06/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Staunton, VA can expect to earn approximately $58,372 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,676. With a cost-of-living index of 91.13 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Staunton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Staunton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,122.53 | $4,864 | $58,372 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $673.52 | $2,919 | $35,023 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $449.01 | $1,946 | $23,349 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Staunton) | $28.06 |
| 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 Staunton, VA earn a median of $58,373 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.68% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 3.90% below the Virginia state average of $60,742.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.06/hr = $35,023/year (purchasing power: $38,433).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,372/year (purchasing power: $64,054).
CoL index: 91.128 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.69/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.23/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.06/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Staunton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.69/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.57/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.22/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.53/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.44/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.95/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.23/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.06/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Staunton grew 25.5% from $21.69/hr (2019) to $27.23/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.92/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 Staunton 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 Staunton
The earning potential for part-time officers who work 24 hours a week can be significant, although it may not match the fiscal security offered by full-time employment. Officers on part-time assignments often face the challenge of fluctuating pay, especially as full-time roles include mandatory overtime which can enhance overall earnings. For example, overtime pay, often set at 1.5 times the base rate, can increase take-home pay substantially. Additionally, off-duty assignments can pay anywhere from $35 to $75 per hour, depending on the nature of the task, such as security during events or construction site supervision. It’s crucial to note that hourly rates can vary across different agencies within Staunton, including municipal police departments, sheriff's offices, and even federal law enforcement, which offers higher pay but frequently requires a more extended commitment. Those looking for consistent benefits, such as health insurance, may sometimes opt for slightly lower hourly rates to secure those advantages, a common trade-off in the law enforcement sector. When negotiating pay as a part-time officer, it's advisable to emphasize skills acquired during POST training and any specialized certifications that could justify higher rates.
More salary data for Staunton, 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 Staunton. 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