Police Officer Salary in Alexandria, VA: $85,840 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Alexandria, VA earns a median $85,840/year (≈ $41.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Alexandria's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $83,178 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 41.3% above the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for police officers in Alexandria, Virginia, reaches $85,840, which is notably higher than the national median of $78,542, reflecting a 9.29% premium for this urban area. This salary range provides variation as well, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $54,914 (P10) and going up to $132,897 for experienced officers (P90). The estimates for these figures are derived from 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments, indicating a competitive pay structure for law enforcement professionals. Alexandria's strong market for law enforcement positions is further influenced by its proximity to federal agencies, creating unique opportunities and pay dynamics.
About the Alexandria Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,914 | $26.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,408 | $32.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,840 | $41.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $109,874 | $52.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $132,897 | $63.90 |
Median Salary Position
9.29% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Alexandria
In Alexandria, VA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $77,983 (2026 est.). At $85,840, the local median is 9.29% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Alexandria: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Alexandria Police Officer Pay Compares
Alexandria median: $85,840/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Alexandria Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $60,750 | +41.30% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +9.29% more |
Police Officers in Alexandria, VA earn a median of $85,840 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.29% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 41.30% above the Virginia state average of $60,750.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Alexandria has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Alexandria, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $85,840 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $83,178 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,018
2025 BLS Actual
$83,291
2026 Current Est.
$85,840
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Alexandria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,018 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,630 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,613 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,903 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,996 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,078 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,291 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,840 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,466 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alexandria metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $69,018 (2019) to $83,291 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,466 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,448 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alexandria 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $54,914 – $67,408 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,408 – $85,840 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,840 – $109,874 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $109,874 – $132,897 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Alexandria
The local labor market shows that there are 26 police officers actively employed in Alexandria, where the cost of living index is slightly elevated at 103.2. This index suggests that while salaries may be higher than the national average, the purchasing power might require careful budgeting due to increased living expenses. Among the various law enforcement entities, federal agencies such as the FBI and DEA typically offer the highest salaries, followed by state police and municipal departments. The disparity in pay among these organizations can be attributed to factors like agency funding, overtime structures, and specialized assignments such as SWAT or detective roles. Additionally, opportunities for educational incentives allow officers to further increase their earnings, and those looking to maximize their pay in this region might consider specializing in high-demand areas or negotiating for benefits that align with Alexandria's labor landscape.
More salary data for Alexandria, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $83,291 for police officersin the Alexandria metropolitan area. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Alexandria 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