Police Officer Salary in Newport News, VA: $61,237 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Newport News, VA earns a median $61,237/year (≈ $29.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Newport News's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $59,338 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
As of 2026, police officers in Newport News, VA can expect a median annual salary of $61,237. This figure positions local pay at approximately 22.03% lower than the national median of $78,542 for similar roles. Compensation in the Newport News area varies considerably, with salaries ranging from $39,590 for entry-level positions (10th percentile) to $94,917 for officers at the top end of the scale (90th percentile). These estimates are informed by BLS estimates and adjusted for the local cost of living, which contributes to the overall economic landscape. With a minor discrepancy in local compensation relative to the state average, the pay dynamics here reflect Newport News's unique labor market conditions, including overtime opportunities that can enhance overall earnings.
About the Newport News Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,590 | $19.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,543 | $23.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,237 | $29.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,383 | $37.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,917 | $45.63 |
Median Salary Position
22.03% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Newport News
In Newport News, VA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,327 (2026 est.). At $61,237, the local median is 22.03% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Newport News: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Newport News Police Officer Pay Compares
Newport News median: $61,237/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Newport News Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $60,751 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | -22.03% less |
Police Officers in Newport News, VA earn a median of $61,237 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.03% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 0.80% above the Virginia state average of $60,751.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Newport News has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Newport News, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $61,237 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $59,338 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,236
2025 BLS Actual
$59,419
2026 Current Est.
$61,237
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Newport News (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,236 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,100 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,375 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,295 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,355 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,482 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,419 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,237 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,111 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Newport News metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $49,236 (2019) to $59,419 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,111 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,875 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Newport News 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) | $39,590 – $48,543 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,543 – $61,237 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,237 – $78,383 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,383 – $94,917 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Newport News
With only 39 police officers employed in Newport News, the job market presents both challenges and opportunities for those considering law enforcement careers. The cost-of-living index at 103.2 suggests that expenses are slightly above the national average, which can impact the purchasing power of officers. Among local employers, city municipal departments typically offer competitive salaries, but opportunities for increased earnings exist in federal law enforcement roles, which often outpace municipal pay scales significantly. Variations in compensation can stem from several factors, including the type of agency—federal roles generally offer the highest pay, followed by urban municipal, state police, and then rural municipal positions. To maximize compensation, officers should consider seeking specialized assignments, engaging in union negotiations for overtime policies, or pursuing educational incentives. These strategies can effectively enhance overall pay in the Newport News market.
More salary data for Newport News, 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 $59,419 for police officersin the Newport News 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 Newport News 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