West Virginia Median
$56,960
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.38
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-25% vs US median
US median $76,210
State Rank
#47 of 51
2,900 employed here
How much do Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers make in West Virginia?
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in West Virginia take home a median of $56,960 annually — roughly $27.38 an hour — which runs 25% below the national median of $76,210.
Within West Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $41,950 while the top 10% make $69,980 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,950 and $61,330 a year.
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary range in West Virginia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,950 | $20.17 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $48,950 | $23.53 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $56,960 | $27.38 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $61,330 | $29.49 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $69,980 | $33.64 |
|
How West Virginia compares
West Virginia ranks 47th out of 51 states and territories for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in other states
California $118,880Washington $102,080Illinois $100,520Alaska $99,130Colorado $97,350Delaware $92,970New York $92,790New Jersey $92,610District of Columbia $88,650Oregon $88,140Pennsylvania $85,470Hawaii $83,820Minnesota $83,360Connecticut $82,170Massachusetts $78,940Arizona $78,880Nevada $78,140Wisconsin $78,090Maryland $77,970Utah $77,310Rhode Island $77,230Ohio $77,020Texas $75,900Nebraska $74,620North Dakota $74,500Florida $74,470Iowa $74,470Michigan $73,730Indiana $73,370New Hampshire $71,640Montana $70,050New Mexico $69,180Vermont $68,910Maine $67,050Idaho $66,990Wyoming $66,140Virginia $65,870South Dakota $60,740Kentucky $60,490Oklahoma $59,700Missouri $59,460North Carolina $59,300Tennessee $59,280Kansas $59,230Georgia $58,120South Carolina $58,070Alabama $51,270Louisiana $48,380Arkansas $47,670Mississippi $46,140
Working as Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in West Virginia
Nationally, about 671,000 people work as Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare West Virginia pay ($56,960) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers make in West Virginia?
The median Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in West Virginia is $56,960 per year, or about $27.38 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $41,950 at the entry level to $69,980 for the top 10% of earners.
How does West Virginia pay compare to the national average?
West Virginia pays Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers about 25% less than the national median of $76,210. West Virginia ranks 47th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is West Virginia a good state for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $56,960 a year. About 2,900 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers are employed in West Virginia. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in West Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in West Virginia include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($597,740), Emergency Medicine Physician ($491,230), Radiologist ($471,650), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary report
Related salaries
$59,280
median pay · 346,000 employed
$56,600
median pay · 17,000 employed
$93,790
median pay · 114,000 employed
$55,940
median pay · 81,000 employed
$58,940
median pay · 381,000 employed
$46,730
median pay · 9,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.