ZipRecruiter

Log In

2

Entry Level Police Officer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Prince William County, VA

Police Officer

VA · On-site

$74K - $133K/yr

POLICE-OFFICER APPLICATIONS Division: PWC CJA Opening Date: 07/01/2023 Closing Date: Continuous ... Applicants may receive a one-time military experience bonus, as a percentage of the entry level ...

City of Manassas

Police Officer Entry Level

Manassas, VA · On-site

$68K/yr

Position Summary Applications are being accepted to establish an eligibility list for Police Officer positions at the Manassas City Police Department. After a comprehensive hiring process, applicants ...

City of Alexandria, VA

Police Officer I

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$63K - $114K/yr

Alexandria Police Department Opening Date: 07/05/2024 Closing Date: Continuous Bargaining Unit ... This is the entry-level officer position, with potential for professional growth. Please read this ...

City of Alexandria

Police Officer I

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$63K - $114K/yr

Police Officer I Are you looking to make a direct impact in the community you serve. If so, the ... This is the entry-level officer position, with potential for professional growth. Please read this ...

US Judicial Branch

VA

$86K/yr

C. Entry-Level hires that sign a three-year service agreement will receive incentive payments of ... A minimum of one year of full-time experience as a sworn police officer; or * A minimum of three ...

City of Hampton

Police Recruit

Hampton, VA

$54K - $60K/yr

Examples of Work Entry level position. Requires attendance at Police Academy and period of ... Officer with a salary of $58,752.00 Minimum Requirements Graduation from an accredited high school ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsPolice Officer JobsEntry Level Police Officer JobsEntry Level Police Officer Jobs in Virginia

Entry Level Police Officer information

See Virginia salary details

$32.2K

$61.6K

$102.6K

How much do entry level police officer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level police officer in Virginia is $61,615.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,100.00 and $73,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an entry level police officer?

Entry level police officers are individuals who have recently been hired by a police department and are in the initial stages of their law enforcement careers. They typically perform basic duties such as patrolling designated areas, responding to emergency calls, conducting preliminary investigations, and enforcing laws. Entry level officers often undergo a period of training at a police academy followed by on-the-job training with experienced officers. Their responsibilities and authority increase as they gain more experience and demonstrate their abilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level police officer?

To thrive as an Entry Level Police Officer, you need a high school diploma or equivalent, physical fitness, a clean background, and successful completion of police academy training. Familiarity with law enforcement technology such as body cameras, radio communication systems, and report-writing software is typically required. Strong soft skills include integrity, critical thinking, effective communication, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. These skills and qualifications are crucial for ensuring public safety, upholding the law ethically, and responding effectively to emergencies.

What does an entry level police officer do?

The job duties of an entry-level police officer involve working to protect citizens and perform other law enforcement duties. Your responsibilities in this career include going on patrol, working to investigate crimes, and documenting complaints. An entry-level officer has completed officer training and public safety testing (PST) and has been sworn-in as a law enforcement professional. However, you may undergo additional on-the-job training with the assistance of a senior officer, and you may have a period of probationary employment until you have proven yourself in the field.

What is the difference between Entry Level Police Officer vs Police Dispatcher?

AspectEntry Level Police OfficerPolice Dispatcher
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or GED, police academy trainingHigh school diploma or GED, communication training
Work EnvironmentPatrol, crime scenes, community interactionDispatch center, phone and radio communication
Employer & Industry UsageLaw enforcement agencies, police departmentsPolice departments, emergency communication centers
Common Search & ComparisonYesNo

Entry Level Police Officers primarily patrol communities, enforce laws, and respond to incidents, requiring police academy training. Police Dispatchers handle emergency calls, coordinate responses, and communicate with officers, focusing on communication skills. Both roles are essential in law enforcement but differ in duties, environment, and training focus.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level police officers during their first year on the job?

Entry level police officers often face challenges such as adapting to shift work, learning departmental procedures, and developing effective communication skills in high-pressure situations. Balancing the demands of public interactions with the need to enforce the law can be stressful, especially when dealing with difficult or emotional incidents. New officers also spend significant time in training and mentorship programs, which help ease the transition but require adaptability and resilience.
More about Entry Level Police Officer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Police Officer jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Police Officer jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Entry Level Police Officer jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Entry Level Police Officer job openings:
Entry Level Police Officer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Police Officer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, and 6% Part Time. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $61,615 per year, or $29.6 per hour.

Police Officer

Prince William County, VA

VA • On-site

$74K - $133K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 27 days ago

Job description

Salary: $74,000.00 - $133,652.23 Annually
Location : Prince William County, VA
Job Type: Full-Time (FT)
Job Number: 202308189
Department: POLICE-OFFICER APPLICATIONS
Division: PWC CJA
Opening Date: 07/01/2023
Closing Date: Continuous
GRADE: PD 01
Introduction
The Police Department is seeking a diverse group of qualified candidates to join our agency. If you are looking for a rewarding career, centered on service to your community, apply with us today!
Tomorrow's Career Begins TODAY!
The Prince William County Police Department aims to effectively and impartially enforce the law while serving and protecting our community. The Department is a nationally accredited law enforcement agency providing professional police service to the residents, business owners, and visitors in Prince William County. With an authorized strength of over 700 sworn officers, the Department is comprised of four divisions and 13 bureaus, including patrol and investigative services, specialty units, and support resources.
We believe integrity, honesty, and equality in the delivery of all police services is essential to building cooperation and trust with the community.
To view our hiring standards click
Hiring Salary: Starting salary is $62,000 per year. Your pay starts at the academy and the Prince William County Police Department believes in taking care of our Police Officers. We supply your uniforms & equipment, pay incentives, permanent shifts, medical/dental/vision/life insurance, retirement, just to name a few.
Signing Bonus: Did we also mention the $10,000 signing bonus, payable in 2 equal installments? Additionally, Virginia Certified Officers who choose to join the department may receive an additional $3,000 bonus!
NOTES:
***Hiring incentives will be paid out in two (2) equal installments. $5,000 of the incentive will be paid following the date of graduation from the academy and the remaining $5,000 will be paid after the first anniversary of graduation from the academy. Probationary employees that voluntarily terminate employment with the County, shall repay the net amount (minus state and federal taxes) of the first bonus installment via a deduction from their annual leave payout and/or remit payment of any remaining balance within thirty (30) days following separation of employment from the County.***
In/Out of State Certified Officers Credit: Certified Officers will receive additional benefits:
  • Officers with prior police experience outside of Prince William County, who are certified as Virginia Law Enforcement Officers in another Virginia locality, are eligible to receive 100% credit for their completed years of service, up to a maximum of ten (10) years.
  • Officers with previous police experience as certified Law Enforcement Officers from another state will also be granted 100% credit for their completed years of service, up to a maximum of ten (10) years.
  • The starting salary offered will correspond to the base amount associated with your credited years of experience.

Furthermore, Virginia certified officers who choose to join the Prince William County Police Department may be eligible for an additional $3,000 bonus in recognition of their invaluable experience.
Education Bonus: Applicants may receive a one-time education bonus based on a starting salary as a percentage of $62,000, payable after successful completion of the probationary, as calculated below:
  • 1.5% - Associates Degree
  • 3% - Bachelors Degree
  • 4.5% - Masters Degree
  • 6% - PHD Degree
Military Experience Bonus: Applicants may receive a one-time military experience bonus, as a percentage of the entry level salary for the offered position:
  • 1.5% - Enlisted Ranks (E-4 through E-9)
  • 3% - Officer and Warrant Officer Ranks (W-1 through W-4; O- 1+)
Language Stipend (Spanish Only): Approximately $1,769.57/year annual stipend, paid bi-weekly (Recipient must receive a "3" or higher on test)
Hiring Process
Start now. Our goal is to never lose a candidate because the hiring process takes too long. The selection process takes approximately three months after the initial Police Officer application has been received. Applicants must successfully complete the below stages:
  • Application: Submit online application
  • Screening and Assessment: personal history statement, conditional offer of employment
  • Evaluation, Polygraph & Interview: polygraph exam, psychological screening & applicant interview
  • Final Assessments & Final Offer: medical exam, physical fitness assessment, medical examination, psychological evaluation, ride-along, Chief's interview & formal job offer
Selection Criteria:
  • Must be at least 21 years of age by academy graduation date.
  • Have a valid Driver's License at time of application
  • Have any combination of education and experience equivalent to a high school diploma or GED by date of hire.
  • If you have an active application, you do not need to reapply.

If you need additional information please contact the recruitment staff via email at
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Background checks, which may include but are not limited to: Criminal History Check, Credit History Check, Education Verification Check, License Verification Check, and/or fingerprinting may be required as posted in the job advertisement.
APPLY NOW!
Note: Applications for employment are typically reviewed within 48 business hours and notification on your application status is made via email from our Police Personnel Bureau. Please ensure to check all email boxes to ensure you receive a timely notification of your application status.
Prince William County is a equal opportunity employer.
Prince William County Government offers medical plans with corresponding pharmacy and basic vision coverage, as well as dental plans and a separate vision plan.
Full-time and part-time Prince William County Government employees are eligible to participate in our plans; however, the level and cost of benefits depends on the classification of the position.
The following positions do not accrue leave and are not eligible for holidays or other fringe benefits:
  • Temporary
  • Provisional
  • Seasonal employees
Click on the link below to explore our plans and rates.

Apply