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 state trooper in West Virginia
State troopers in West Virginia meet the same statewide minimum standards as police officers, set by Law Enforcement Professional Standards (LEPS) Subcommittee of the Governor's Committee on Crime, Delinquency and Correction (WV Division of Administrative Services, Justice and Community Services): age 18+, 850-hour academy, state exam. Citizenship, disqualifiers, fitness and the rules for officers from other states are on the police officer page for West 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 West Virginia, all employers Sourced
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (SOC 33-3051) in West Virginia, all employers combined: BLS state estimates do not separate government from private.
| Measure | WV |
|---|---|
| Workers | 2,900 |
| 10th percentile | $41,950 |
| Median | $56,960 |
| 90th percentile | $69,980 |
| 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 West Virginia
State employees: State public safety
| Plan | Accrual | Normal retirement | Employee pays | Social Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia State Police Retirement System (Trooper Plan B) Plan B | 3% | Age 50 with 25+ years of credited service (excluding military service) | 12% | Not covered |
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 West Virginia pension plans list.
Source: State retirement systems, Official state retirement system pages, member handbooks and statutes. Data captured October 2, 2026.
Free practice tests for West Virginia
West Virginia LEPS Peace Officer Certification ExamWest Virginia 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 State Trooper / Highway Patrol Officer page.
State Trooper / Highway Patrol Officer in other states
More government jobs in West Virginia
West Virginia government jobs · West Virginia public pension plans · police officer standards in West Virginia · exam practice in West Virginia