Police Officer Salary in Richmond, VA: $64,639 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Richmond, VA earns a median $64,639/year (≈ $31.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Richmond's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.9), that paycheck buys what $66,054 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.4% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Richmond, VA, the projected median annual salary for police officers in 2026 stands at $64,639, which reflects a significant gap compared to the national median of $78,542. Salaries for officers in this city range from $54,900 in the lower 10th percentile to as high as $99,164 for those in the 90th percentile. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) surveys, indicates that factors such as mandatory overtime, especially for court and special detail assignments, can greatly influence an officer's overall earnings. This dynamic is particularly relevant for those seeking to enhance their police officer pay in Richmond, as additional hours worked often lead to substantial increases in take-home pay.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,900 | $26.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,620 | $29.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,639 | $31.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,748 | $37.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,164 | $47.68 |
Median Salary Position
17.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richmond
In Richmond, VA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,264 (2026 est.). At $64,639, the local median is 17.7% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richmond: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Richmond Police Officer Pay Compares
Richmond median: $64,639/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richmond Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $60,751 | +6.40% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | -17.70% less |
Police Officers in Richmond, VA earn a median of $64,639 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.70% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 6.40% above the Virginia state average of $60,751.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richmond has a cost of living 2.14% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Richmond, VA has a cost-of-living index of 97.858 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $64,639 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,054 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.19% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,600
2025 BLS Actual
$62,720
2026 Current Est.
$64,639
2019–2027 Growth
+24.3%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,600 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,310 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,480 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,510 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,720 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,639 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,617 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richmond metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 17.0% from $53,600 (2019) to $62,720 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,617 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,017 (24.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richmond 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) | $54,900 – $60,620 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,620 – $64,639 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,639 – $78,748 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,748 – $99,164 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Richmond
Richmond's job market currently employs around 3,410 police officers, reflecting a robust demand for law enforcement personnel in the region. With a cost-of-living index of 97.858, which is below the national average, officers may find that their purchasing power is somewhat diminished despite competitive salaries. Among local employers, municipal police departments typically provide the most favorable compensation packages, with federal law enforcement agencies such as the FBI or DEA often topping the list in terms of overall pay. The disparity in salaries can be attributed to numerous factors, including agency type, union contracts that dictate overtime policies, special unit assignments that come with stipends, and additional incentives for education. Those looking to maximize their earnings in Richmond should consider pursuing opportunities in higher-paying agencies, seeking specialized roles, and taking advantage of overtime potential to improve their financial outcome over time.
More salary data for Richmond, 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 $62,720 for police officersin the Richmond 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