Police Officer Hourly Pay in Parkersburg, WV: $27.52 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Parkersburg, WV runs $27.52 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,240 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Parkersburg's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.1, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.60 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,341 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Parkersburg, West Virginia, police officers earn a median hourly rate of $27.52, which is significantly lower than the national median of $37.76 per hour. This disparity means that part-time officers working three days a week may find their earnings limited compared to their peers in other parts of the country. In typical settings such as patrol vehicles on assigned beats, police stations, and special unit operations, this hourly rate would lead to variable earnings depending on the hours logged. Officers at the entry-level can expect to earn around $24.90 per hour, while top earners may reach approximately $28.90 per hour. These figures are official projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and highlight the range of police officer hourly pay in Parkersburg.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.90 | $199.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.13 | $201.01 |
| Median (P50) | $27.52 | $220.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.59 | $228.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.90 | $231.18 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Parkersburg
Based on $27.52/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.52/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Parkersburg, WV can expect to earn approximately $57,235 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,020. With a cost-of-living index of 87.07 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Parkersburg.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Parkersburg
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,100.68 | $4,770 | $57,235 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $660.41 | $2,862 | $34,341 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $440.27 | $1,908 | $22,894 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Parkersburg) | $27.52 |
| 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 Parkersburg, WV earn a median of $57,240 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.12% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 1.10% below the West Virginia state average of $57,876.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.52/hr = $34,341/year (purchasing power: $39,443).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,235/year (purchasing power: $65,738).
CoL index: 87.066 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.25/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.70/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.52/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Parkersburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.25/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.16/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.12/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.24/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.31/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.41/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.70/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.52/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.36/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Parkersburg grew 25.6% from $21.25/hr (2019) to $26.70/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.36/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 Parkersburg 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 Parkersburg
When considering part-time work, a police officer in Parkersburg operating on a three-day workweek would take home significantly less compared to a full-time officer, translating into a tighter financial cushion. Additionally, per diem police officer pay in Parkersburg can be influenced by factors like mandatory overtime for court appearances or special details, where overtime might add 20-50% more to their base earnings. Various employer types—ranging from municipal departments to state and federal agencies—can also greatly impact hourly pay rates. Typically, higher hourly earnings come with trade-offs, such as fewer benefits and insurance options, driving some officers to prioritize stable positions with lower hourly wages over higher-paying jobs without benefits. Negotiating hourly compensation effectively involves understanding these dynamics, particularly in a competitive environment like Parkersburg, where many officers seek to balance pay and job security.
More salary data for Parkersburg, WV:
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 Parkersburg. 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