Police Officer Salary in Portsmouth, VA: $58,797 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Portsmouth, VA earns a median $58,797/year (≈ $28.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Portsmouth's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $56,974 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officers in Portsmouth, Virginia, are projected to earn a median salary of $58,797, underscoring the financial viability of a career in law enforcement amid the local economic conditions. The compensation range for these officers spans from $37,035 at the lower end (P10) to $87,541 at the upper end (P90), reflecting the diverse roles and responsibilities within the field. These figures are derived from state-level data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and consider local cost adjustments, important for understanding how much do police officers make in Portsmouth. Given the rising cost of living in the area, the police officer salary in Portsmouth is an essential factor in the job market, impacting recruitment and retention.
About the Portsmouth Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,035 | $17.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,633 | $21.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,797 | $28.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,930 | $36.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,541 | $42.09 |
Median Salary Position
25.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portsmouth
In Portsmouth, VA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,506 (2026 est.). At $58,797, the local median is 25.14% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portsmouth: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Portsmouth Police Officer Pay Compares
Portsmouth median: $58,797/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portsmouth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $60,740 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -25.14% less |
Police Officers in Portsmouth, VA earn a median of $58,797 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.14% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 3.20% below the Virginia state average of $60,740.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portsmouth has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portsmouth, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $58,797 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $56,974 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,274
2025 BLS Actual
$57,051
2026 Current Est.
$58,797
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Portsmouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,274 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,063 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,367 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,251 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,109 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,913 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,051 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,797 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,596 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portsmouth metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $47,274 (2019) to $57,051 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,596 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,322 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portsmouth 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) | $37,035 – $45,633 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,633 – $58,797 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,797 – $74,930 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,930 – $87,541 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Portsmouth
With only 17 police officers currently employed in Portsmouth, the local job market for law enforcement professionals presents unique dynamics. The cost-of-living index at 103.2 indicates that expenses are moderately above the national average, which influences take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, municipal departments often provide competitive pay compared to county sheriff and state police positions, while federal agencies offer significantly higher salaries. Disparities in officer compensation can be attributed to factors like agency type, union contract structures, and additional pay incentives for specialized assignments. To maximize earnings in this specific Portsmouth market, officers should consider pursuing roles that offer enhanced pay through overtime opportunities, educational incentives, and potentially seeking federal positions post-retirement where compensation can be substantially greater.
More salary data for Portsmouth, 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 $57,051 for police officersin the Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth 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