How much does a Police Officer make in Richmond, VA?

The average salary for a Police Officer is $65,811 per year in Richmond, VA. Salaries estimates are based on 10199 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by a Police Officer employees in Richmond, VA.

The highest salary for a Police Officer in Richmond, VA is $81,955 per year.

The lowest salary for a Police Officer in Richmond, VA is $53,033 per year.

If you are thinking of becoming a Police Officer or planning the next step in your career, find details about the role, the career path and salary trajectory of a Police Officer.

Police officers receive stable government salaries with high benefits, reflecting their long work hours and sometimes dangerous jobs. Overtime opportunities are frequent, as communities need police at all hours of the day and every day of the year. Some departments pay more to bilingual officers or officers that have a college degree. Higher ranking officers are generally paid higher salaries, but they also face a greater degree of responsibility. Some departments offer generous pensions and the opportunity to retire early.

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Anonymous Glassdoor ratings show that 71% of police officers feel satisfied with their salaries. Professional development through advanced certification, eight years or more of experience, and $3,912.84 in potential additional pay annually can increase earning prospects for police officers.

Police officers make between $43,691.20 and $99,657.34 annually. The question of how much a police officer makes over time depends on an applicant's experience. For example, police officers can make approximately $65,810.99 after working in the field for a good amount of time. To earn more in your police officer career, you can become a detective, K-9 officer, sheriff, or deputy sheriff.

If you've already chosen a police officer career and are seeking to make more money in your job, you can further your education to increase your salary. A degree or college credit hours in criminal justice or a related field can help you achieve higher seniority levels, such as becoming a senior police officer.

You can also earn increase your salary as a police officer through additional certifications to advance your career and qualify for more senior-level positions. These certifications include Certified Law Enforcement Analyst, Basic Court Security Certification, Certified Professional Criminal Investigator, International Association of Chiefs of Police Drug Recognition Expert, or Physical Security Certification.

One way you can negotiate a higher salary as a police officer is to brush up on your interview skills and learn typical police officer questions that might be asked in an interview for a higher paying position. You can also research average police officer salaries in your area and request a review if your current police officer salary does not measure up.

Police officer jobs are widely available across all levels of experience and provide an opportunity for you to serve your community in a meaningful way. Salaries will vary depending on location but remain competitive with excellent benefits.