Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in Charleston, WV
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in the Charleston, WV metro area earn a median of $57,460 a year ($27.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 510 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,980 for the top 10%. That is 25% lower than the national median of $76,210. Pay here is 1% higher than the West Virginia statewide median of $56,960. There are 4.9 police and sheriff's patrol officers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $55,470, close to the median.
Pay range for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Charleston, WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,950 | $20.17 |
| 25th percentile | $48,920 | $23.52 |
| Median | $57,460 | $27.62 |
| 75th percentile | $58,220 | $27.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,980 | $34.13 |
| Average (mean) | $55,470 | $26.67 |
Half of police and sheriff's patrol officers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,788.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,394.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,210 |
| Weekly | $1,105 |
| Hourly | $27.62 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $57,460 salary, see how much house you can afford in West Virginia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $84,000 | 14,630 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $66,020 | 360 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $58,960 | 220 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $58,380 | 300 |
| Beckley, WV | $57,980 | 250 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $56,130 | 620 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | $55,540 | 130 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $55,140 | 270 |
| Morgantown, WV | $55,010 | 220 |
Highest-paying states for police and sheriff's patrol officers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $118,880 |
| Washington | $102,080 |
| Illinois | $100,520 |
| Alaska | $99,130 |
| Colorado | $97,350 |
| Delaware | $92,970 |
| New York | $92,790 |
| New Jersey | $92,610 |
| District of Columbia | $88,650 |
| Oregon | $88,140 |
See Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers pay in every state or the West Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston, WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $92,410 | $44.43 |
| Security Guard | $20,800 | $10.00 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $32,390 | $15.57 |
| Firefighter | $38,780 | $18.64 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $37,350 | $17.96 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $77,780 | $37.39 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $47,680 | $22.92 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $25,480 | $12.25 |
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $49,100 | $23.61 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $39,850 | $19.16 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Charleston, WV
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-3051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a police and sheriff's patrol officers make in Charleston, WV?
The median salary for police and sheriff's patrol officers in the Charleston, WV metro area is $57,460 a year, or $27.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid police and sheriff's patrol officers make in Charleston, WV?
The top 10% of police and sheriff's patrol officers in the Charleston, WV metro area earn at least $70,980 a year. The top 25% earn $58,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Charleston, WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,950 a year, and a quarter of police and sheriff's patrol officers earn $48,920 or less.
How many police and sheriff's patrol officers work in Charleston, WV?
About 510 police and sheriff's patrol officers are employed in the Charleston, WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.