Police Officer Salary in Huntington, WV: $57,848 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Huntington, WV earns a median $57,848/year (≈ $27.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Huntington's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.4), that paycheck buys what $65,423 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the West Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $57,848 in 2026, the police officer salary in Huntington, WV, reflects the economic dynamics of this small city. The salary range spans from $41,368 at the 10th percentile (P10) to $73,667 at the 90th percentile (P90), indicating a diverse compensation landscape driven by factors such as overtime, specialized duties, and union negotiations. This data is derived from surveys conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and highlights how mandatory overtime in court appearances or special detail work can significantly boost overall earnings. Despite being about 26.35% lower than the national median of $78,542, Huntington's job market for police officers remains competitive, particularly for those willing to negotiate their pay based on experience and skills.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,368 | $19.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,810 | $22.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,848 | $27.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,196 | $30.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,667 | $35.42 |
Median Salary Position
26.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Huntington
In Huntington, WV, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,299 (2026 est.). At $57,848, the local median is 26.35% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Huntington: You'd be above the median
How Huntington Police Officer Pay Compares
Huntington median: $57,848/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Huntington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $78,542 | -26.35% less |
Police Officers in Huntington, WV earn a median of $57,848 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.35% lower than the national median of $78,542.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Huntington has a cost of living 11.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Huntington, WV has a cost-of-living index of 88.422 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $57,848 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,423 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.09% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,910
2025 BLS Actual
$56,130
2026 Current Est.
$57,848
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Huntington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,910 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,720 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,840 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,540 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,590 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,130 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,848 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,618 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Huntington metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 33.9% from $41,910 (2019) to $56,130 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,618 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,708 (42.25%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Huntington 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) | $41,368 – $47,810 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,810 – $57,848 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,848 – $63,196 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,196 – $73,667 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Huntington
With approximately 620 police officers currently employed in the area, Huntington offers a stable local job market. However, the cost of living index stands at 88.422, which is below the national average. This means that while police officer pay in Huntington may appear lower than in larger cities, the effective purchasing power may be relatively strong. Employers such as municipal police departments and county sheriff's offices generally lead in compensation, whereas federal law enforcement roles offer the highest salaries. The variation in pay can be attributed to factors including agency type, overtime structures, special unit assignments, and educational incentives. To maximize earnings in this market, officers should seek opportunities for overtime, specialized training, and promotions into roles that come with added responsibilities, such as SWAT or detective positions. Understanding the local economy and leveraging union support can also play a vital role in enhancing overall take-home pay in Huntington.
More salary data for Huntington, 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 $56,130 for police officersin the Huntington 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