Police Officer Salary in Richmond, VA — 2026 Guide
Estimated salaries are adjusted for Richmond's cost of living (index: 97). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.
Police Officer Salary in Richmond — Key Numbers
Cost of Living in Richmond
Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.
Job Market in Richmond
Richmond has a metro population of 1,310,000, offering a sizeable job market with strong opportunities across key sectors. The 3.4% unemployment rate is below the national average, suggesting a tight labor market favorable to job seekers.
Financial Calculators for Richmond
Other Professions in Richmond
Police Officer Salary — Other Virginia Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Police Officer make in Richmond, VA?
The estimated median salary for a Police Officer in Richmond is $70,112 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $72,280 adjusted by Richmond's cost of living index (97). The typical salary range runs from $53,185 (25th percentile) to $94,691 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $120,959.
Is Richmond affordable for a Police Officer?
On a $70,112 annual salary, a Police Officer in Richmond would spend approximately 22.0% of gross monthly income on median rent ($1,287/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Richmond relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $310,000 is 4.4× the annual salary.
How does a Police Officer's salary compare to Richmond's overall income?
Richmond's median household income is $68,200. A Police Officer earning the city-adjusted median of $70,112 earns 2.8% more than the typical Richmond household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.
Explore More Salary Data
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.