How to become a state trooper in West Virginia
The West Virginia State Police hires state troopers under the title Trooper. New state troopers start at $62,778 a year. You must be at least 18.
Pay
| Starting salary | $62,778 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | — |
| Scale effective | 2026-06-03 |
79th Cadet Class posting (opened 06/03/2026): base pay at enlistment (cadet) $55,518.00 ($4,626.50/mo); starting salary after graduation $62,778.00 ($5,231.50/mo). The WVSP recruiting page still shows older figures ($53,724 cadet / $60,984 after graduation). Troopers get raises with each promotion plus a $500 yearly longevity increase; no top step published.
Source:[governmentjobs.com]
Pay for this work across West Virginia
Federal survey figures for police and sheriff's patrol officers in West Virginia, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from the state's own pay scale above.
| People in this work | 2,900 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $41,950 |
| Median pay | $56,960 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $69,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Minimum age: 18
- Education: High school diploma or G.E.D.
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen (recruiting page); posting also requires eligibility to work in the United States
- At least 18 and no older than 39 on the day of enlistment
- Valid driver's license (posting: held for at least two years before applying)
- Must pass the written examination and physical agility test
- No felony convictions, no serious traffic offenses (DUI, negligent homicide), no misdemeanors involving persons or property, no domestic violence convictions
- Must pass background, polygraph and medical exam; prior police training is not substituted for cadet training
Source:[wvsp.gov]
Entrance exam
WVSP written examination. Not formally named; the posting links sample questions. Order of steps after the written and suitability tests is not stated.[governmentjobs.com]
Academy
24 weeks, paid. 24-week paramilitary-style academy; cadets live at the academy Monday-Friday and are released most weekends. Paid with full benefits; equipment, meals and lodging paid by the department. Followed by a three-month FTO period.[wvsp.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: West Virginia State Police Retirement System Plan B (Consolidated Public Retirement Board)
- Benefit formula: Final average salary × years of service × 3.00% = annual benefit; FAS = average of the highest 5 calendar years within the last 10 years (overtime included)
- When you can retire: Age 50 with 25+ years, or age 52 with 20+ years of credited service; reduced benefit under 52 with 20+ years
- Social Security: no, this job is not covered
Plan B covers all troopers hired on or after March 12, 1994. Member contributes 12% of base salary; employer 30%. CPRB: Plan B members are not covered by Social Security.
Source:[wvretirement.com]