Police Officer Salary in Staunton, VA: $58,373 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Staunton, VA earns a median $58,373/year (≈ $28.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Staunton's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.1), that paycheck buys what $64,056 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% below the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for police officers in Staunton, Virginia, stands at $58,373, which is notably lower than the national median of $78,542. The salary range for officers in the area varies significantly, from a lower tenth percentile of $50,530 to an upper ninety percentile of $81,242, reflecting a diverse spectrum of pay based on experience, agency type, and additional factors. These figures stem from comprehensive estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. Within the context of the local job market, the police officer salary in Staunton reflects not only the specifics of municipal compensation but also the competitive choices available to officers between federal, state, and municipal law enforcement roles.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,530 | $24.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,900 | $26.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,373 | $28.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,753 | $30.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,242 | $39.06 |
Median Salary Position
25.68% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Staunton
In Staunton, VA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,712 (2026 est.). At $58,373, the local median is 25.68% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Staunton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Staunton Police Officer Pay Compares
Staunton median: $58,373/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Staunton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $60,742 | -3.90% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -25.68% less |
Police Officers in Staunton, VA earn a median of $58,373 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.68% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 3.90% below the Virginia state average of $60,742.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Staunton has a cost of living 8.87% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Staunton, VA has a cost-of-living index of 91.128 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $58,373 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,056 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,120
2025 BLS Actual
$56,640
2026 Current Est.
$58,373
2019–2027 Growth
+33.3%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Staunton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,120 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,950 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,290 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,860 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,830 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,220 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,640 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,373 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,159 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Staunton metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 25.5% from $45,120 (2019) to $56,640 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,159 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,039 (33.33%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Staunton 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) | $50,530 – $55,900 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,900 – $58,373 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,373 – $62,753 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,753 – $81,242 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Staunton
With 190 police officers currently employed in Staunton, the local job market showcases opportunities constrained by a cost-of-living index of 91.128, suggesting that resident officers may experience relatively diminished purchasing power compared to many metropolitan areas. Among various law enforcement employers in the region, federal entities typically offer the highest compensation packages, appealing to those seeking advanced salary options, whereas municipal police departments and county sheriff's offices generally provide competitive pay within the local context. Factors contributing to the spread between lower and higher salaries in Staunton include the type of agency, overtime structures, special unit assignments, and the impact of educational incentive pay. For officers aspiring to maximize their earnings, exploring positions that offer specialty unit roles or advancing education could be pragmatic strategies, especially in a market where agency compensation reflects broader economic trends.
More salary data for Staunton, 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 $56,640 for police officersin the Staunton 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