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15 Highest Paid Police in Virginia

Police officers work in every state, every county, every city, and almost every town. Almost anywhere in the country where there is a community, you could become a police officer. There will be more need for police officers in places with more people and more crime. However, you can become a law enforcement officer almost anywhere you want to live. 

If you decide to move in the future, you’ll be ready and qualified to be a police officer wherever life takes you. People want good police officers, and their pay reflects that. In 2021, police and sheriff’s patrol officers made an average of $57,000 a year. Since pay raises are often based on how long a person has worked at a job, police officers who have been on the job for a long time can make even more. 

Are you interested in the highest-paid police in Virginia? This article outlines that and also answers several questions you may have. Keep reading!

Table of contents

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How much does a Virginia police officer make?

As of August 14, 2022, the average annual salary for a Police Officer in Virginia was $43,362. If you need a simple way to figure out how much that is, it comes to about $20.85 an hour. This is about the same as $833 per week or $3,613 per month.

There are salaries as high as $73,236 and as low as $24,900. However, most police officer jobs pay between $37,594 and $54,683. The top earners in Virginia make $64,448 per year. The average pay range for a Police Officer job is very wide. This suggests that there may be many ways to move up and make more money. However, this depends on skill level, location, and years of experience.

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What Are The Top Cities In Virginia Where Police Jobs Pay The Most?

The cities in Virginia where police jobs pay the most are- 

  • Alexandria- $54,178 
  • Belview- $50,258 
  • Arlington- $49,594
  • Captains Cove- $49,474 
  • Chesapeake- $49,153 
  • Weber City- $47,847 
  • Bowling Green- $46,728 
  • Kenbridge- $46,466 
  • Hampton- $46,405 
  • Norfolk- $45,548 

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15 Highest-Paid Police in Virginia

#1. Municipal uniformed police

Salary: $66,740

Most likely, this is the type of police officer you know best. The uniformed police who walk around our towns and cities do many different things.

They respond to calls for help, keep an eye on traffic, provide security for big events, check construction work, and investigate crimes. Municipal uniformed police officers are one of the highest-paid police in Virginia. 

At the municipal level, a uniformed police officer needs at least a high school diploma or the equivalent.

However, more and more departments are now asking for a college degree. Since the professors are also police officers, the program gives you expert knowledge from people who know the field well. It is one of the highest-paid police jobs in Virginia.

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#2. Detectives 

Salary: $66,500

Depending on their job, police detectives can work in uniform or as someone else. Detectives go to crime scenes and try to put together the pieces of evidence they find to solve a crime.

They talk to witnesses and suspects and get their stories as part of their investigation. Detectives are one of the highest-paid police in Virginia. 

Usually, you have to have worked as a uniformed police officer before you can become a detective. Some departments may also need you to get more training and pass more tests before you can become a detective. It is one of the highest-paid police jobs in Virginia. 

#3. Sheriffs

Salary: $66,120

Sheriffs usually do the same things that police chiefs do, except that police sheriffs get elected to their jobs. The fact that they work on a county level is another big difference. So, they are in charge of how all the county’s uniformed police officers work, not just the ones in one city or town.

Sheriffs usually start as uniformed police officers or deputies before getting enough experience to run for office. Sheriffs are one of the highest-paid police officers. It is also one of the highest-paid police jobs in Virginia. 

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#4. State Police

Salary: $63,950

State police, often called “state troopers,” ensure that roads are safe. They are very important and to date, they are one of the highest-paid police in Virginia.

They also help local police departments keep cities and towns safe by working in cities and towns as needed. It is one of the highest-paid police jobs in Virginia.

#5. Federal Investigators

Salary: $62,700

Investigators for the federal government keep the law in place. There are a lot of federal law enforcement agencies, and most require a bachelor’s degree in a related field (like public safety) before you can apply for a job. Federal investigators are one of the highest-paid police in Virginia.

Some of the best-known parts of federal law enforcement are the secret Service FBI, DEA service of U.S. marshals, and postal inspection service (ATF). Federal Investigators have one of the highest-paid police jobs in Virginia.

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#6. Police Officers

Salary: $62,090

As the name suggests, police officers with special jurisdiction work in areas that a regular officer doesn’t cover.

Some of the places where police with special jurisdiction work are college campuses, public transportation systems like subways or airports, local park districts, and Native American reservations. Of course, police officers are one of the highest-paid police in Virginia. 

Becoming an officer in a special jurisdiction is similar to becoming a police officer in a town or city. Getting a college degree in criminal justice or law enforcement can help you get a better job. It is one of the highest-paid police jobs in Virginia.

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#7. Correctional officers

Salary: $60,700

Correctional officers are officers of the law who work inside a prison. There are prisons run by the state and prisons run by the federal government. Correctional officers keep prisoners safe and order so they can get better. 

You can enter this field with a degree in criminal justice. It is one of the highest-paid police jobs in Virginia.

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#8. Environmental Police

Salary: $60,000

Environmental police officers, also called “Game Wardens,” have all the power of a city police officer. They tend to focus on protecting our environment and ensuring that laws about fishing, hunting, and other things are followed.

Game Wardens work for federal or state agencies that protect wildlife. It is one of the highest-paid police jobs in Virginia.

It’s pretty hard to get hired as an environmental police officer. A degree in environmental studies or criminal justice will prepare you for your job and put you ahead of the competition.

You may also need a degree if you want to work for national departments like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Park Service.

#9. Fire Marshals

Salary: $58,020

Fire Marshals generally look into arson-related crimes. They can work for the state or a local fire department. Fire Marshals have one of the highest-paid police in Virginia.

If you want to do this job, a criminal justice degree will help you prepare for it. Fire Marshals are one of the highest-paid police jobs in Virginia. 

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#10. Districts Attorney Investigators 

Salary: $56,320

District Attorney’s Investigators usually work for the sheriff’s office. but this isn’t always the case. For a local prosecutor, who is usually a District Attorney, these investigators do research for court cases. It is one of the highest-paid police jobs in Virginia. 

#11. Public Information Officers

Salary: $55,200

A public information officer is a police officer who gives information about law enforcement to the media and the public. These officers are the police department’s official spokespeople. They send out accurate information to the public by writing press releases. They also run social media accounts and respond to requests from the media. They are one of the highest-paid police in Virginia.

Public information officers build relationships with journalists to help make law enforcement more open and accountable. Some public information officers are in charge of public programs. It is one of the highest-paid police jobs in Virginia.

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#12. Transit officers

Salary: $53,760

A transit officer is a police officer who patrols public transportation systems and areas like train stations, bus terminals, and subways. They try to keep people safe who use public transportation. They do this by walking around to stop crimes like theft, trespassing, and vandalism. Transit officers are one of the highest-paid police in Virginia. 

Transit officers also respond to any problems that happen on public transportation and write reports about what happened. If someone commits a crime, like ticket fraud, a transit officer can give them a ticket or kick them off the bus. Some transit officers work for police departments in special units. Others work for companies that run transit.

#13. Crime scene investigator

Salary: $51,900

A crime scene investigator, also called a forensic technician, is a uniformed officer who collects, analyzes, and writes up physical evidence found at a crime scene. They look at the evidence in a lab, such as by figuring out the DNA, and give a fuller account of what happened. It is one of the highest-paid police jobs in Virginia. 

Crime scene investigators may work closely with detectives to find information that can lead to an arrest or conviction. These experts are often called to testify in criminal trials to explain complicated or technical analyses clearly. Investigators of crime scenes can work for local, state, or federal police departments, sheriff’s offices, or federal agencies.

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#14. Public school officer

Salary: $50,000

A police officer who works in a public school is also called a “school resource officer.” They try to keep students, teachers, and other staff safe and make the school a good place to learn. It is one of the highest-paid police jobs in Virginia.

These officers deal with problems on school grounds and investigate criminal activity. Many school resource officers work with school administrators, like principals, to devise and implement plans or policies to cut down on crime.

They get to know teachers and students so they can be a part of the school community and set a good example. Often, these professionals participate in programs or serve on committees. Public school officers are also one of the highest-paid police in Virginia. 

#15. A Victim Advocate 

Salary: $48,000

This is a police officer who helps and supports people who have got hurt by crimes. They help people deal with the trauma of what happened to them. They work to get services for victims, like financial, legal, or medical help. A victim advocate is also one of the highest-paid police in Virginia.

These people help people who got wronged understand how the justice system works. Advocates for victims may help their clients fill out forms or get them ready to testify in court. After a trial, they let victims know what’s going on with things like sentencing hearings, appeals, or parole hearings.

Many victim advocates work for police departments. Others work for government agencies, nonprofits, or social services organizations. It is one of the highest-paid police jobs in Virginia. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who gets paid the most to be a cop?

1. California ($107,440)
2. New Jersey ($90,700)
3. Alaska ($88,120)
4. Washington ($82,740)
5. and Hawaii ($81,460)

How much does a Virginia police officer make?

The average salary for a Department of Veterans Affairs Police Officer in the United States is $53,102 per year. It is the same as the national average.

How much do state troopers in Virginia get paid?

State Trooper salaries reports show to be $67,721/year by 14 people. Virginia State Trooper salaries show $60,399/year. Special Agent salaries were also reported to be $113,766/year.

What city’s police force gets the most money?

According to city payroll records, San Francisco Police Chief Greg Suhr is the highest-paid cop in the country. They make more than $300,000 a year.

Why do cops get paid so much?

The bureau’s analysis is mostly based on hourly wages for a typical work year of 2,080 hours. It doesn’t include overtime, which is one of the things that can make an officer’s yearly income even higher.

Conclusion

Being a police officer is really about helping other people. People who are down and out addicted to drugs, homeless, emotionally unstable, suicidal, violent, and basically at the bottom of their lives often come into contact with police officers.

One of the best parts of being a police officer is being able to help these people get out of bad situations, get back on their feet, and change their lives for the better. Every year, police officers do millions of nice things for people. The kindness and dedication of police officers who work hard to help the people who need it the most change millions of lives for the better.

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