SOC 33-3051 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers — Blacksburg
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA · 8 metro areas compared
Median pay in Blacksburg, VA is $56,250 a year, 26.2% under the national median of $76,210 for this occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay in Blacksburg, VA is $56,250 a year, 26.2% under the national median of $76,210 for this occupation. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $50,880 and $65,030. The lowest tenth earn under $48,230, while the highest tenth earn more than $77,770.
The area has 470 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.47 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Richmond records the highest median at $62,720. Of the 257 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 123rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $48,230 | −36.7% |
| 25th | $50,880 | −33.2% |
| Median (50th) | $56,250 | −26.2% |
| 75th | $65,030 | −14.7% |
| 90th | $77,770 | +2.0% |
| Mean | $59,500 | −21.9% |
Other metro areas in Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Richmond | $62,720 | 3,410 | |
| 2 | Charlottesville | $60,880 | 410 | |
| 3 | Roanoke | $59,900 | 840 | |
| 4 | Virginia Beach | $59,690 | 4,320 | |
| 5 | Winchester | $58,960 | 220 | |
| 6 | Harrisonburg | $58,260 | 230 | |
| 7 | Lynchburg | $58,150 | 430 | |
| 8 | Staunton | $56,640 | 190 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Blacksburg sit close to the national average, so $56,250 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$56,250as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$55,638US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $56,250 a year, 26.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $48,230 to $77,770 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 470 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Richmond, at $62,720.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Blacksburg, VA?
The median annual wage is $56,250, or $27.05 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $76,210, so pay in Blacksburg, VA is 26.2% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Blacksburg, VA earns more than $77,770 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $48,230 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Richmond, at $62,720 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 470 jobs in this occupation in Blacksburg, VA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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