Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates; State POST commissions and legislatures, State peace officer standards: statutes, administrative rules and POST commission pages. Data captured September 30, 2026.
How to become a deputy sheriff in Virginia
Deputy sheriffs in Virginia meet the same statewide minimum standards as police officers, set by Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), under the Criminal Justice Services Board: age 18+, 480-hour academy, state exam. Citizenship, disqualifiers, fitness and the rules for officers from other states are on the police officer page for Virginia.
Source: State POST commissions and legislatures, State peace officer standards: statutes, administrative rules and POST commission pages. Data captured October 2, 2026.
Pay in Virginia, all employers Sourced
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (SOC 33-3051) in Virginia, all employers combined: BLS state estimates do not separate government from private.
| Measure | VA |
|---|---|
| Workers | 19,970 |
| 10th percentile | $50,000 |
| Median | $65,870 |
| 90th percentile | $96,820 |
| National median, government employers | $76,300 |
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Pension in Virginia
Local employees: Local police and firefighters
| Plan | Accrual | Normal retirement | Employee pays | Social Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VRS Plan 2 - Political Subdivision Employees with Enhanced Hazardous Duty Coverage Plan 2 (enhanced hazardous duty) | 1.7% | Age 60 with at least 5 years of service credit | 5% | Not stated |
The statewide plan a new hire usually joins. Some cities and counties run their own plans; check with the employer. Each plan's formula, vesting, cost-of-living adjustment and retiree health are on the Virginia pension plans list.
Source: State retirement systems, Official state retirement system pages, member handbooks and statutes. Data captured October 2, 2026.
Employers in Virginia
86 sheriff's offices in Virginia.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crime Data Explorer — law-enforcement agencies by state (API). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Free practice tests for Virginia
Virginia DCJS Peace Officer Certification ExamVirginia exam · free on Open Exam Prep- IPMA-HR / PSHRA Entry-Level Police Officer Test (PO-EL)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- Law Enforcement Aptitude Battery (LEAB)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- National Criminal Justice Officer Selection Inventory (NCJOSI-3)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- National Police Officer Selection Test (POST)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- NTN FrontLine National - Law Enforcement ExamPractice for a named exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- Police Aptitude and Character Test (PACT)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
Source: Open Exam Prep, Open Exam Prep free practice tests. Data captured October 1, 2026. Each link was opened and its exam title checked on the date shown.
More about this job
Requirements, hiring process, training, schedule and day-to-day work are on the national Deputy Sheriff page.
Deputy Sheriff in other states
More government jobs in Virginia
Virginia government jobs · Virginia public pension plans · police officer standards in Virginia · exam practice in Virginia