Police Officer Salary in Winchester, VA: $60,764 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Winchester, VA earns a median $60,764/year (≈ $29.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Winchester's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.5), that paycheck buys what $63,001 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Winchester, Virginia, the police officer salary reflects both the local economy and the intricacies of law enforcement compensation. Projected to be $60,764 in 2026, salaries for police officers in this area are notably lower than the national median of $78,542, indicating a variance of 22.64%. With a salary range from $50,870 at the entry-level (P10) to $81,160 for the most experienced officers (P90), the competitive nature of police officer pay in Winchester is underscored by factors like mandatory overtime, special details, and court appearances that can significantly enhance overall earnings. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlights the economic realities that officers in this community face.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,870 | $24.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,725 | $26.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,764 | $29.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,937 | $32.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,160 | $39.02 |
Median Salary Position
22.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winchester
In Winchester, VA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,290 (2026 est.). At $60,764, the local median is 22.64% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Winchester: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Winchester Police Officer Pay Compares
Winchester median: $60,764/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Winchester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $78,542 | -22.64% less |
Police Officers in Winchester, VA earn a median of $60,764 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.64% lower than the national median of $78,542.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Winchester has a cost of living 3.55% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Winchester, VA has a cost-of-living index of 96.45 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $60,764 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,001 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.68% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$53,260
2025 BLS Actual
$58,960
2026 Current Est.
$60,764
2019–2027 Growth
+17.6%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Winchester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,880 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,050 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,770 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,910 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,240 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,960 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,764 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,624 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Winchester metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 10.7% from $53,260 (2019) to $58,960 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,624 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,364 (17.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winchester 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) | $50,870 – $55,725 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,725 – $60,764 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,764 – $67,937 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,937 – $81,160 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Winchester
In looking at the local job market, Winchester employs around 220 police officers, presenting a robust opportunity landscape although with a cost-of-living index at 96.45, which is below the national average. This means that while salaries might appear lower than national norms, take-home pay holds a relatively good purchasing power in the area. Among local agencies, municipal police departments typically offer competitive salaries, but county sheriff's offices and federal law enforcement jobs generally provide higher pay scales. Factors contributing to the pay variability include agency type, union contracts that dictate overtime eligibility, special assignments like SWAT or K-9 units, shift differentials, and education incentives. To maximize earnings in this Winchester market, officers may benefit from pursuing advanced training opportunities, applying for specialized roles, or opting for agencies that offer more favorable retirement and pension plans.
More salary data for Winchester, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Winchester, VA in 2026?
Is Winchester, VA a good place to work as a police officer?
Can police officers make $100K in Winchester?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted police officer salary in Winchester?
How much does a police officer make per hour in Winchester?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Virginia
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 $58,960 for police officersin the Winchester 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