Police Officer Hourly Pay in Winchester, VA: $29.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Winchester, VA runs $29.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,764 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Winchester's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.5, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.29 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,463 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Winchester, VA, police officers can expect a median hourly pay of $29.22. This figure is significantly lower than the national hourly median of $37.76, highlighting a regional disparity in law enforcement compensation. For part-time officers working three days a week, this hourly rate translates to consistent income streams while working in diverse settings, from patrol vehicles to courtrooms. The hourly range for police officer positions in Winchester spans from $24.46 for entry-level roles to $39.02 for experienced professionals, reflecting the dynamics of local law enforcement and the positions available in this small but vital community. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, emphasizing the structured salary expectations for officers in the area.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.46 | $195.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.79 | $214.28 |
| Median (P50) | $29.22 | $233.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.66 | $261.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.02 | $312.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Winchester
Based on $29.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.22/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Winchester, VA can expect to earn approximately $60,772 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,061. With a cost-of-living index of 96.45 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Winchester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Winchester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,168.70 | $5,064 | $60,772 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $701.22 | $3,039 | $36,463 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $467.48 | $2,026 | $24,309 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Winchester) | $29.22 |
| 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 Winchester, VA earn a median of $60,764 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.64% lower than the national median of $78,542.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.22/hr = $36,463/year (purchasing power: $37,806).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,772/year (purchasing power: $63,009).
CoL index: 96.45 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.61/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.35/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Winchester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.61/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.39/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.49/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.88/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.35/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.11/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Winchester grew 10.7% from $25.61/hr (2019) to $28.35/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.11/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 Winchester 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 Winchester
For those considering part-time roles, annual earnings for a police officer working 24 hours per week at the median hourly rate would total approximately $36,397, markedly less than a full-time counterpart. In Winchester, part-time positions may still entail opportunities for overtime, particularly for court appearances or special assignments, which can elevate per diem police officer pay significantly. Generally, off-duty work could command rates from $35 to $75 per hour, enhancing potential earnings. However, compensation varies across employer types, with municipal departments generally offering steadier hours and benefits, while federal and state positions may pay more but come with stricter requirements. Many officers choose lower base pay for enhanced health benefits and pensions, making strategic career decisions essential in this profession. Negotiating hourly rates in Winchester requires awareness of local norms and the benefits associated with specific roles, underscoring the nuances of law enforcement pay structures.
More salary data for Winchester, 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 Winchester. 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