Police Officer Salary in Burke, VA: $60,005 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Burke, VA earns a median $60,005/year (≈ $28.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Burke's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $58,144 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Police officers in Burke, Virginia, can expect a projected median annual salary of $60,005 by 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $78,542. The salary range for this occupation in Burke shows considerable variability, from a low of $38,101 at the 10th percentile to a high of $87,879 at the 90th percentile. These figures, drawn from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, reflect local salary conditions adjusted for regional cost factors. As Burke continues to balance between federal, state, and municipal law enforcement needs, the job market for police officers reveals competitive yet challenging compensation trends, influenced by the structural differences inherent in law enforcement agency types.
About the Burke Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,101 | $18.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,601 | $22.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,005 | $28.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,920 | $36.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,879 | $42.25 |
Median Salary Position
23.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burke
In Burke, VA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,778 (2026 est.). At $60,005, the local median is 23.6% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burke: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burke Police Officer Pay Compares
Burke median: $60,005/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burke Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $60,733 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -23.60% less |
Police Officers in Burke, VA earn a median of $60,005 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.60% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 1.20% below the Virginia state average of $60,733.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burke has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burke, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $60,005 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $58,144 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,245
2025 BLS Actual
$58,223
2026 Current Est.
$60,005
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Burke (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,245 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,071 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,361 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,262 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,221 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,184 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,223 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,005 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,841 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burke metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $48,245 (2019) to $58,223 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,841 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,596 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burke 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) | $38,101 – $46,601 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,601 – $60,005 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,005 – $75,920 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,920 – $87,879 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Burke
The employment context in Burke features only ten police officers, suggesting a tightly-knit community with limited opportunities for expansion. With a cost-of-living index of 103.2, officers may find that their take-home pay does not stretch as far as might be expected, compared to other regions. Municipal police departments generally offer salaries at the lower end of the spectrum, while federal agencies typically provide the highest pay, with federal agents earning considerably more than their municipal counterparts. The disparity between low and high salaries is often driven by factors such as agency type, union representation, specialty units, and educational incentives. To maximize pay within Burke, officers should consider pursuing advanced education, which can yield a 10% increase in salary, and seek opportunities for shifts that offer additional stipends. The combination of strategic career moves and careful budgeting will be crucial for those in law enforcement in this area.
More salary data for Burke, 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 $58,223 for police officersin the Burke 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 Burke 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