Police Officer Salary in Lynchburg, VA: $59,929 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Lynchburg, VA earns a median $59,929/year (≈ $28.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Lynchburg's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.4), that paycheck buys what $67,062 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lynchburg, VA, the projected median annual pay for police officers in 2026 is set at $59,929, marking a significant disparity compared to the national median of $78,542. The salary range is quite broad, spanning from $49,108 at the 10th percentile to $77,501 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlights the potential for officers to supplement their income through overtime, particularly in mandatory court appearances and special details, which significantly boosts effective pay. In the context of Lynchburg's law enforcement market, it is evident that while base salaries may lag behind the national average, opportunities for additional earnings through overtime could shape a more competitive compensation package for police officers in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,108 | $23.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,499 | $24.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,929 | $28.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,588 | $30.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,501 | $37.26 |
Median Salary Position
23.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lynchburg
In Lynchburg, VA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,393 (2026 est.). At $59,929, the local median is 23.7% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lynchburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lynchburg Police Officer Pay Compares
Lynchburg median: $59,929/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lynchburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $60,780 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -23.70% less |
Police Officers in Lynchburg, VA earn a median of $59,929 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.70% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 1.40% below the Virginia state average of $60,780.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lynchburg has a cost of living 10.64% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lynchburg, VA has a cost-of-living index of 89.363 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $59,929 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,062 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.9% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,360
2025 BLS Actual
$58,150
2026 Current Est.
$59,929
2019–2027 Growth
+45.8%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Lynchburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,360 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,530 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,840 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,670 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,650 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,150 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,929 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,763 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lynchburg metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 37.3% from $42,360 (2019) to $58,150 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,763 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,403 (45.81%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lynchburg 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) | $49,108 – $51,499 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,499 – $59,929 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,929 – $62,588 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,588 – $77,501 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Lynchburg
Employment for roughly 430 police officers in Lynchburg creates a stable local job market, though officers face a cost-of-living index of 89.363, below the national average. This index impacts take-home purchasing power, making it essential for officers to strategize on pay maximization. Among local employers, municipal police departments typically offer lower salaries than federal law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI or DEA, which pay at a higher scale. Variations in pay largely depend on several factors, including agency type, overtime contracts, special unit assignments, and additional stipends for night shifts or education incentives. For officers looking to boost their compensation, pursuing advanced training or aiming for promotions within specialized roles can lead to higher earnings and improved retirement benefits, making their overall financial outlook more rewarding amidst the unique economic landscape of Lynchburg, VA.
More salary data for Lynchburg, 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 $58,150 for police officersin the Lynchburg 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