Police Officer Salary in Parkersburg, WV: $57,240 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Parkersburg, WV earns a median $57,240/year (≈ $27.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Parkersburg's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.1), that paycheck buys what $65,743 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the West Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Parkersburg, West Virginia, police officers can expect a median annual salary of $57,240 as of 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $78,542. The compensation range for officers in this area spans from $51,788 at the 10th percentile to $60,105 at the 90th percentile, according to official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys. These figures reflect the distinctions in pay between federal, state, and municipal law enforcement agencies. Federal law enforcement positions typically offer higher salaries compared to municipal departments like those in Parkersburg, with the latter facing a tighter budget and cost-of-living constraints that further affect overall compensation packages.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,788 | $24.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,262 | $25.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,240 | $27.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,466 | $28.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,105 | $28.90 |
Median Salary Position
27.12% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Parkersburg
In Parkersburg, WV, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $8,317 (2026 est.). At $57,240, the local median is 27.12% below the national median of $78,542.
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At 40 hours/week in Parkersburg: You'd be above the median
How Parkersburg Police Officer Pay Compares
Parkersburg median: $57,240/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Parkersburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia Average | $57,876 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -27.12% less |
Police Officers in Parkersburg, WV earn a median of $57,240 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.12% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 1.10% below the West Virginia state average of $57,876.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Parkersburg has a cost of living 12.93% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Parkersburg, WV has a cost-of-living index of 87.066 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $57,240 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,743 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.85% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,190
2025 BLS Actual
$55,540
2026 Current Est.
$57,240
2019–2027 Growth
+33.5%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Parkersburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,190 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,100 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,160 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,420 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,490 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,930 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,540 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,240 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,991 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Parkersburg metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 25.7% from $44,190 (2019) to $55,540 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,991 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,801 (33.49%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Parkersburg 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) | $51,788 – $52,262 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,262 – $57,240 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,240 – $59,466 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,466 – $60,105 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Parkersburg
The local job market for law enforcement in Parkersburg comprises around 130 police officers, a reflection of the community's size and demands. With a cost of living index of 87.066, officers may find that their earnings, while relatively modest compared to federal roles, can stretch further in this environment. Among the various employers, municipal police departments and county sheriff's offices generally provide the most competitive salaries, while opportunities in federal law enforcement agencies remain attractive for those seeking higher pay. Factors influencing salary variability include the type of agency, potential overtime from union contracts, and specialized training that may command additional stipends. To maximize future earnings, officers in Parkersburg could consider pursuing advanced education to qualify for educational incentive pay or seeking placements in specialized units, which often come with additional compensation.
More salary data for Parkersburg, 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 $55,540 for police officersin the Parkersburg 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