Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in West Virginia
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in West Virginia earn a median of $56,960 a year ($27.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,900 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,980 for the top 10%. That is 25% lower than the national median of $76,210. West Virginia ranks 47th of 51 states for police and sheriff's patrol officers pay. There are 4.1 police and sheriff's patrol officers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $55,900, close to the median.
Pay range for police and sheriff's patrol officers in West Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,950 | $20.17 |
| 25th percentile | $48,950 | $23.53 |
| Median | $56,960 | $27.39 |
| 75th percentile | $61,330 | $29.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $69,980 | $33.64 |
| Average (mean) | $55,900 | $26.88 |
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 | $4,746.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,373.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,190.77 |
| Weekly | $1,095.38 |
| Hourly | $27.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $56,960 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 cities in West Virginia
| 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 |
| Charleston, WV | $57,460 | 510 |
| 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.
Related jobs in West Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $52,890 | $25.43 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $92,410 | $44.43 |
| Bailiff | $36,250 | $17.43 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $62,530 | $30.06 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $30,490 | $14.66 |
| Security Guard | $28,800 | $13.85 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $32,800 | $15.77 |
| Firefighter | $37,350 | $17.96 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $74,280 | $35.71 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $24,670 | $11.86 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $45,850 | $22.04 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $56,490 | $27.16 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $55,380 | $26.63 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $46,410 | $22.31 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in West Virginia
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 West Virginia?
The median salary for police and sheriff's patrol officers in West Virginia is $56,960 a year, or $27.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid police and sheriff's patrol officers make in West Virginia?
The top 10% of police and sheriff's patrol officers in West Virginia earn at least $69,980 a year. The top 25% earn $61,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for police and sheriff's patrol officers in West Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,950 a year, and a quarter of police and sheriff's patrol officers earn $48,950 or less.
How many police and sheriff's patrol officers work in West Virginia?
About 2,900 police and sheriff's patrol officers are employed in West Virginia, not counting the self-employed.