Police Officer Salary in Bristol, VA: $51,260 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Bristol, VA earns a median $51,260/year (≈ $24.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Bristol's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $49,671 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.6% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Bristol, VA offers a police officer salary that may initially seem modest at a median of $51,260 annually, but overtime opportunities can significantly enhance earnings. With salaries ranging from $34,020 at the 10th percentile to $73,106 at the 90th percentile, the chance to work court details, special assignments, or overtime during peak times can substantially boost take-home pay. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS estimates, projected to 2026, accounting for regional cost adjustments. Compared to the national median of $78,542, local police officer pay in Bristol reflects a notable disparity, indicating that while the peak pay scales may attract some, the overall compensation package may be a consideration for those choosing law enforcement careers in this area.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,020 | $16.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,754 | $19.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,260 | $24.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,218 | $30.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,106 | $35.14 |
Median Salary Position
34.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bristol
In Bristol, VA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,086 (2026 est.). At $51,260, the local median is 34.74% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bristol: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bristol Police Officer Pay Compares
Bristol median: $51,260/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bristol Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $60,735 | -15.60% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -34.74% less |
Police Officers in Bristol, VA earn a median of $51,260 per year (2026 est.), which is 34.74% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 15.60% below the Virginia state average of $60,735.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bristol has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bristol, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $51,260 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $49,671 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,214
2025 BLS Actual
$49,738
2026 Current Est.
$51,260
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,214 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,774 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,167 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,937 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,173 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,528 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,738 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,260 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,829 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bristol metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $41,214 (2019) to $49,738 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,829 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,615 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol 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) | $34,020 – $40,754 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,754 – $51,260 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,260 – $64,218 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,218 – $73,106 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Bristol
In Bristol, where six police officers are employed, the cost of living index stands at 103.2, indicating that expenses are slightly above the national average. This dynamic can influence take-home purchasing power, especially for newer officers starting their careers. Among local employers, municipal police departments typically pay more than rural counterparts, but federal law enforcement positions offer the highest compensation levels within law enforcement. The variance between the lower and upper salary tiers reflects various factors, including agency type, union negotiations for overtime, and educational incentives for advanced degrees. Officers considering strategies to maximize their earnings might focus on pursuing specialty unit assignments such as K-9 or detective roles, which often come with additional stipends. Additionally, understanding the intricacies of pension formulas and seeking overtime opportunities can provide significant financial benefits in the long term as they navigate their careers and make decisions about future employment options.
More salary data for Bristol, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Bristol, VA in 2026?
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Can police officers make $100K in Bristol?
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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 $49,738 for police officersin the Bristol 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 Bristol 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