Police Officer Salary in Morgantown, WV: $56,693 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Morgantown, WV earns a median $56,693/year (≈ $27.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Morgantown's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.3), that paycheck buys what $60,749 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the West Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the estimated police officer salary in Morgantown, West Virginia, is projected to be $56,693 annually, demonstrating a significant gap compared to the national median of $78,542. The salary range for officers in the area varies, with those earning at the 10th percentile making as little as $38,895, while the highest earners at the 90th percentile can command up to $68,916. These numbers are derived from the latest reports based on 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected to 2026. Notably, mandatory overtime driven by court appearances and special details can substantially enhance overall pay, allowing many officers to improve their compensation beyond the stated median. This economic dynamic reflects not only the necessity for higher wages to compete for local talent but also the unique circumstances shaping Morgantown's job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,895 | $18.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,015 | $23.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,693 | $27.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,146 | $28.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,916 | $33.13 |
Median Salary Position
27.82% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Morgantown
In Morgantown, WV, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,021 (2026 est.). At $56,693, the local median is 27.82% below the national median of $78,542.
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At 40 hours/week in Morgantown: You'd be above the median
How Morgantown Police Officer Pay Compares
Morgantown median: $56,693/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Morgantown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia Average | $57,850 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -27.82% less |
Police Officers in Morgantown, WV earn a median of $56,693 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.82% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 2.00% below the West Virginia state average of $57,850.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Morgantown has a cost of living 6.68% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Morgantown, WV has a cost-of-living index of 93.323 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $56,693 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,749 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.15% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,930
2025 BLS Actual
$55,010
2026 Current Est.
$56,693
2019–2027 Growth
+24.5%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Morgantown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,930 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,760 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,410 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,150 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,640 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,040 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,010 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,693 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,428 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Morgantown metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 17.2% from $46,930 (2019) to $55,010 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,428 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,498 (24.50%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Morgantown 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) | $38,895 – $49,015 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,015 – $56,693 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,693 – $60,146 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,146 – $68,916 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Morgantown
There are approximately 220 police officers employed in Morgantown, a figure that anchors the local law enforcement workforce. The cost of living index in this city is 93.323, indicating affordability compared to national averages, but it also highlights the challenges of maximizing purchasing power. Among various employing agencies, municipal police departments typically offer the most competitive salaries. The disparity between low and high compensation can be attributed to factors such as federal pay scales, which generally exceed municipal salaries, and different opportunities for overtime linked to specific agency duties. To enhance earnings, officers may consider special assignments like SWAT or detective work, or pursuing educational incentives that can lead to additional pay boosts. With the projected annual growth rate of 3.06% for officer salaries, officers in Morgantown should strategically position themselves within available specializations and overtime opportunities to maximize their police officer pay in Morgantown WV.
More salary data for Morgantown, 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 $55,010 for police officersin the Morgantown 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