State guide · police pay scales
Virginia police payStarting and top-step pay by department
In Virginia, median starting base pay is $61,917 across 2 departments and median top-step pay is $114,363 across 2, from official pay schedules.
Starting pay: $61,917 (median of 2 departments). Top step: $114,363 (median of 2 departments).
Virginia departments compared
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| Virginia State Police Limited data | State police | $62,100 | $119,213 | Not in our data | Not in our data |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach Police Department | City police | $61,734 | $109,512 | Not in our data | Not in our data |
Virginia: starting vs top-step pay
View chart data
| Department | Start | Top step |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia State Police | $62,100 | $119,213 |
| Virginia Beach Police Department | $61,734 | $109,512 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do police officers make in Virginia?
In Virginia, median starting base pay is $61,917 across 2 departments and median top-step pay is $114,363 across 2, from official pay schedules. Overtime, longevity and incentive pay are extra.
Which Virginia police agency pays the most?
Of the departments in this guide, Virginia State Police has the highest top-step base pay at $119,213.
What does the federal wage survey say about Virginia police pay?
The BLS May 2025 survey puts the median annual wage for all police and sheriff’s patrol officers in Virginia at $65,870. That estimate covers every agency and experience level, so it differs from department pay schedules.
Sources and last checked
- Virginia State Police Recruiting - Trooper (Starting Pay) · Virginia State Police
- Virginia Beach Police Department - Salary and Benefits · Virginia Beach Police Department
- BLS OEWS: Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers · U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
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