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State comparison · 2025

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary: California vs Virginia

Occupation

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in California earn a median of $118,880. In Virginia, $65,870. After cost-of-living, the gap is 64.8% — not 80.5%.

Nominal pay gap
+80.5%
California vs Virginia
COL-adjusted gap
+64.8%
After BEA Regional Price Parities

California

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

Median
$118,880
p25
$97,280
p75
$126,780
p10
$76,300
p90
$153,190
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
110.7
See full breakdown for California

Virginia

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

Median
$65,870
p25
$58,140
p75
$78,480
p10
$50,000
p90
$96,820
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
101.1
See full breakdown for Virginia

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.