Police Officer Hourly Pay in Suffolk, VA: $28.72 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Suffolk, VA runs $28.72 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,745 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Suffolk's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $27.83 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,846 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Suffolk, Virginia, the police officer hourly pay is projected to be $28.72 in 2026, significantly lower than the national median of $37.76. This discrepancy indicates that local officers may face challenges when negotiating compensation in various roles, such as those in patrol vehicles on assigned beats or involved in special unit operations like SWAT. For part-time officers working three days a week, this hourly rate can translate into earnings varying between $18.85 at the entry level and $44.52 for those at the top of the pay scale. Whether assigned to report-writing rooms or court testimony, the hourly earnings reflect the expectations and demands tied to police work, derived from their annual salary data.
About the Suffolk 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) | $18.85 | $150.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.84 | $182.70 |
| Median (P50) | $28.72 | $229.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.08 | $288.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.52 | $356.18 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Suffolk
Based on $28.72/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.72/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Suffolk, VA can expect to earn approximately $59,743 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,467. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Suffolk.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Suffolk
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,148.91 | $4,979 | $59,743 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $689.35 | $2,987 | $35,846 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $459.57 | $1,991 | $23,897 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Suffolk) | $28.72 |
| 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 Suffolk, VA earn a median of $59,745 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.93% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 1.70% below the Virginia state average of $60,778.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.72/hr = $35,846/year (purchasing power: $34,735).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,743/year (purchasing power: $57,891).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$23.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.87/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.72/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Suffolk (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.97/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.43/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.25/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.87/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.72/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.60/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Suffolk grew 20.7% from $23.09/hr (2019) to $27.87/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.60/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 Suffolk 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 Suffolk
Looking at the broader picture, part-time officers in Suffolk can expect to take home less than full-time counterparts, limiting their annual earnings potential significantly. The per diem police officer pay in Suffolk might also be attractive given the mandatory overtime that most law enforcement positions entail, often adding a premium pay rate of 1.5 times the base for special assignments or court appearances. Various employer types influence this reality, with municipal departments typically offering lower pay than federal agencies, which can command higher hourly rates due to extensive funding and robust overtime structures. Moreover, while some officers may lean toward lower hourly pay with security benefits, others might chase higher-paid roles that lack stability. When navigating negotiations for hourly work, officers should emphasize their experience, the potential for overtime opportunities, and the specific demands of different law enforcement roles in the community.
More salary data for Suffolk, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for police officers in Suffolk in 2026?
How much do part-time police officers make in Suffolk?
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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 Suffolk. 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 Suffolk 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