Based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data — updated August 12, 2026.
| California | National | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $118,880 | $79,739 | +49% |
| Median hourly wage | $57.15 | $38.34 | +49% |
Adjusted for local price levels (100 = national average), the cost-adjusted median is $107,389.
| City | Median | Entry Level | Experienced | Cost of Living |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City-level data coming soon. | ||||
The median annual salary for a Police Officer in California is $118,880, or about $57.15 per hour, according to BLS OEWS data.
The national median for Police Officers is $79,739. California is +49% above the national median.
Entry-level police officers in California typically earn from varies by experience depending on the city and employer.
With 65,940 police officer jobs on record and a median salary of $118,880, California offers above-average pay compared to the rest of the country.