Police Officer Salary in McLean, VA: $59,486 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in McLean, VA earns a median $59,486/year (≈ $28.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in McLean's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $57,641 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officers in McLean, Virginia, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $59,486. When examining the compensation landscape, salaries will range from $36,846 at the 10th percentile to $85,920 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted to reflect regional price parities. Notably, police officer pay in McLean VA falls significantly below the national median of $78,542, revealing a 24.26% difference that can impact recruitment and retention efforts. The size of the officer pool in McLean, with only 11 officers employed in the area, highlights a concentrated job market that may further contribute to the competitive dynamics of local pay.
About the McLean Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,846 | $17.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,560 | $21.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,486 | $28.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,668 | $35.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,920 | $41.31 |
Median Salary Position
24.26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in McLean
In McLean, VA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,074 (2026 est.). At $59,486, the local median is 24.26% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in McLean: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How McLean Police Officer Pay Compares
McLean median: $59,486/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | McLean Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $60,762 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -24.26% less |
Police Officers in McLean, VA earn a median of $59,486 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.26% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 2.10% below the Virginia state average of $60,762.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
McLean has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
McLean, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $59,486 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $57,641 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,829
2025 BLS Actual
$57,720
2026 Current Est.
$59,486
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in McLean (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,829 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,639 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,934 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,828 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,743 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,638 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,720 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,486 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,307 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the McLean metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $47,829 (2019) to $57,720 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,307 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,478 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the McLean 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) | $36,846 – $45,560 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,560 – $59,486 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,486 – $74,668 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,668 – $85,920 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in McLean
The cost of living index for McLean stands at 103.2, indicating that local expenses are somewhat higher than the national average, which can affect officers' take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, municipal police departments tape into a smaller budget compared to federal agencies like the FBI or DEA, which typically offer higher salaries along with overtime opportunities. The spread between lower and upper salaries can often be attributed to the type of agency, with federal law enforcement consistently offering better pay. To maximize earning potential, officers in McLean may want to consider opportunities for overtime within specialized units, such as SWAT or canine units, while also seeking educational incentives that can boost their compensation. Understanding the mechanics of pension multipliers and union negotiations can further aid in strategic career advancement in this unique local context.
More salary data for McLean, 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 $57,720 for police officersin the McLean 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 McLean 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