Police Officer Salary in Charlottesville, VA: $62,743 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Charlottesville, VA earns a median $62,743/year (≈ $30.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Charlottesville's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 99.1), that paycheck buys what $63,283 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the police officer salary in Charlottesville, Virginia, is projected to reach a median annual pay of $62,743, reflecting a stark contrast to the national median of $78,542. The salary range in this local job market spans from $52,952 at the 10th percentile to $90,384 at the 90th percentile. This data stems from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, which provide vital insights into local wages. The compensation landscape here underscores the structural differences between federal, municipal, and state law enforcement positions. Given the relatively lower median earnings in Charlottesville compared to national standards, aspiring police officers may find themselves weighing the benefits of employment with federal agencies against the municipal opportunities closer to home, particularly in a city that supports a population of 410 police officers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,952 | $25.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,817 | $26.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,743 | $30.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,461 | $36.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,384 | $43.45 |
Median Salary Position
20.12% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Charlottesville
In Charlottesville, VA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,432 (2026 est.). At $62,743, the local median is 20.12% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Charlottesville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Charlottesville Police Officer Pay Compares
Charlottesville median: $62,743/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Charlottesville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $60,739 | +3.30% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | -20.12% less |
Police Officers in Charlottesville, VA earn a median of $62,743 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.12% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 3.30% above the Virginia state average of $60,739.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Charlottesville has a cost of living 0.85% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Charlottesville, VA has a cost-of-living index of 99.146 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $62,743 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,283 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.86% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,447
2025 BLS Actual
$60,880
2026 Current Est.
$62,743
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Charlottesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,447 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,790 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,320 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,490 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,190 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,590 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,880 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,743 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,663 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Charlottesville metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $50,447 (2019) to $60,880 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,663 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,216 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charlottesville 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) | $52,952 – $55,817 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,817 – $62,743 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,743 – $75,461 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,461 – $90,384 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Charlottesville
Analyzing the job market in Charlottesville reveals a total of 410 police officers currently employed in the area, with a cost of living index at 99.146, which is slightly below the national average. This suggests that while salaries for police officer pay in Charlottesville, VA, are lower than the national median, the purchasing power remains relatively robust due to the local cost of living. Among the various employers, federal law enforcement agencies typically offer the most competitive salaries, often exceeding those of municipal police departments, while specialized roles within the city may also present opportunities for elevated pay through overtime, special unit assignments, and educational incentives. The disparity in wages from the lowest to the highest levels is influenced by factors such as agency type, union agreements, and unique compensation structures tied to operations. For local officers looking to maximize their earnings, focusing on qualifications that enhance job roles and seeking positions within specialty units can significantly impact overall compensation in this evolving law enforcement market.
More salary data for Charlottesville, 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 $60,880 for police officersin the Charlottesville 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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