SOC 33-3051 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers — West Virginia
West Virginia · 7 metro areas compared
The median wage for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in West Virginia is $56,960 per year, substantially below the national median of $76,210 — a gap of 25.3%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in West Virginia is $56,960 per year, substantially below the national median of $76,210 — a gap of 25.3%. Half of workers earn between $48,950 and $61,330. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $41,950 and the ninetieth at $69,980.
The area has 2,900 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 4.1 of every thousand jobs. West Virginia ranks number 47th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Wheeling records the highest median at $58,380. Of the 618 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 253rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $41,950 | −45.0% |
| 25th | $48,950 | −35.8% |
| Median (50th) | $56,960 | −25.3% |
| 75th | $61,330 | −19.5% |
| 90th | $69,980 | −8.2% |
| Mean | $55,900 | −26.7% |
Highest-paying metro areas in West Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wheeling | $58,380 | 300 | |
| 2 | Beckley | $57,980 | 250 | |
| 3 | Charleston | $57,460 | 510 | |
| 4 | Huntington | $56,130 | 620 | |
| 5 | Parkersburg | $55,540 | 130 | |
| 6 | Weirton | $55,140 | 270 | |
| 7 | Morgantown | $55,010 | 220 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in West Virginia run 10.5% below the national average, so the median of $56,960 goes as far as $63,642 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 16.5% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$56,960as reported by BLSLocal price level
89.5US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$63,642US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $56,960 a year, 25.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $41,950 to $69,980 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,900 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 47th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Wheeling, at $58,380.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in West Virginia?
The median annual wage is $56,960, or $27.39 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 West Virginia is 25.3% 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 West Virginia earns more than $69,980 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $41,950 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 Wheeling, at $58,380 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,900 jobs in this occupation in West Virginia. 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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