Police Officer Salary in Fairmont, WV: $53,830 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Fairmont, WV earns a median $53,830/year (≈ $25.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Fairmont's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.5), that paycheck buys what $62,231 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.9% below the West Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fairmont, West Virginia, the projected median annual salary for police officers in 2026 stands at $53,830. This figure, while informative, falls significantly below the national median of $78,542 for the same year, illustrating the disparity between local municipal compensation and broader national trends. The salary range for officers in Fairmont is quite broad, from $37,280 at the 10th percentile to $76,771 at the 90th percentile, indicating that experience, training, and specialization can greatly influence pay. These estimated figures reflect data derived from 2025 BLS state-level information and account for regional price variations that impact overall compensation levels and job attractiveness within the community.
About the Fairmont Market
Salary estimated from West Virginia average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,280 | $17.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,927 | $21.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,830 | $25.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,278 | $32.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,771 | $36.91 |
Median Salary Position
31.46% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fairmont
In Fairmont, WV, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,491 (2026 est.). At $53,830, the local median is 31.46% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fairmont: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fairmont Police Officer Pay Compares
Fairmont median: $53,830/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fairmont Pays |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia Average | $57,820 | -6.90% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -31.46% less |
Police Officers in Fairmont, WV earn a median of $53,830 per year (2026 est.), which is 31.46% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 6.90% below the West Virginia state average of $57,820.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fairmont has a cost of living 13.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fairmont, WV has a cost-of-living index of 86.5 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $53,830 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,231 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,281
2025 BLS Actual
$52,232
2026 Current Est.
$53,830
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Fairmont (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,281 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,919 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,282 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,090 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,538 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,637 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,232 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,830 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,478 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fairmont metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $43,281 (2019) to $52,232 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,478 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,197 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fairmont 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) | $37,280 – $43,927 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,927 – $53,830 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,830 – $67,278 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,278 – $76,771 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Fairmont
The job market for police officers in Fairmont remains relatively stable, with four officers currently employed in the area. The cost of living index is notably lower at 86.5, suggesting that while salaries may be modest compared to national averages, the purchasing power for officers may allow for a reasonable quality of life locally. Among various agencies, municipal police departments often provide competitive pay relative to county sheriff's offices and state police, however, federal agencies like the FBI and DEA typically offer the highest salaries in the region. Factors contributing to disparities in officer pay can include agency type, overtime opportunities, specialized unit assignments, and educational incentives, all of which can enhance an officer’s compensation package. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Fairmont's market, pursuing additional certifications, seeking roles with specialized units, or negotiating for overtime can serve to increase take-home pay effectively.
More salary data for Fairmont, WV:
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 $52,232 for police officersin the Fairmont 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 Fairmont 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