Police Officer Salary in Harrisonburg, VA: $60,043 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Harrisonburg, VA earns a median $60,043/year (≈ $28.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Harrisonburg's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 94.9), that paycheck buys what $63,275 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the police officer salary in Harrisonburg, VA is projected to reach a median of $60,043, a figure notably lower than the national median of $78,542. The earnings for officers in this area range from $49,428 at the 10th percentile to $78,563 at the 90th percentile, according to projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. Overtime associated with mandatory court appearances and special details significantly influences overall earnings, often making a substantial difference to take-home pay. As many local departments require officers to fill these roles regularly, it’s common for earnings to be driven beyond base salaries, illustrating a key economic aspect of working in law enforcement in Harrisonburg.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,428 | $23.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,673 | $26.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,043 | $28.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,186 | $29.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,563 | $37.77 |
Median Salary Position
23.55% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Harrisonburg
In Harrisonburg, VA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,135 (2026 est.). At $60,043, the local median is 23.55% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Harrisonburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Harrisonburg Police Officer Pay Compares
Harrisonburg median: $60,043/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Harrisonburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $60,772 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -23.55% less |
Police Officers in Harrisonburg, VA earn a median of $60,043 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.55% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 1.20% below the Virginia state average of $60,772.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Harrisonburg has a cost of living 5.11% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Harrisonburg, VA has a cost-of-living index of 94.892 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $60,043 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,275 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.38% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,750
2025 BLS Actual
$58,260
2026 Current Est.
$60,043
2019–2027 Growth
+35.3%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Harrisonburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,030 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,310 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,390 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,260 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,043 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,880 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Harrisonburg metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 27.3% from $45,750 (2019) to $58,260 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,880 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,130 (35.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Harrisonburg 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) | $49,428 – $55,673 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,673 – $60,043 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,043 – $62,186 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,186 – $78,563 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Harrisonburg
With around 230 police officers currently employed in Harrisonburg, the local job market for law enforcement is relatively stable. The cost of living in the area is below the national average, with a Cost of Living index of 94.892, which means that officers may find their take-home pay stretches further compared to regions with higher living costs. Among local employers, the municipal police department typically offers the most competitive salaries, though county sheriff’s offices and state police positions also provide solid opportunities for employment. Factors determining pay disparities include agency type, overtime structures, special assignments, and educational incentives. For officers aiming to maximize their earnings, pursuing specialized roles or advanced degrees within the Harrisonburg market can lead to increased pay and enhanced career opportunities.
More salary data for Harrisonburg, 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 $58,260 for police officersin the Harrisonburg 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, 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