State guide · police pay scales
California police payStarting and top-step pay by department
In California, median starting base pay is $97,635 across 13 departments and median top-step pay is $131,575 across 11, from official pay schedules.
Starting pay: $97,635 (median of 13 departments). Top step: $131,575 (median of 11 departments).
California departments compared
Select a column heading to sort. Base pay only; overtime and incentives are extra. Scroll the table sideways on small screens.
| Irvine Police Department | City police | $106,766 | $171,309 | Not in our data | Not in our data |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Highway Patrol | State police | $116,040 | $168,288 | Not in our data | Not in our data |
| San Francisco Police Department | City police | $121,654 | $154,934 | Not in our data | FY 2026-27 |
| Oakland Police Department | City police | $105,968 | $148,403 | 5 | Not in our data |
| Santa Ana Police Department | City police | $110,052 | $133,776 | Not in our data | Not in our data |
| Stockton Police Department | City police | $95,098 | $131,575 | Not in our data | Not in our data |
| Los Angeles Police Department | City police | $93,730 | $127,660 | Not in our data | FY 2026-27 |
| Long Beach Police Department | City police | $97,635 | $126,942 | Not in our data | Not in our data |
| Sacramento Police Department | City police | $89,383 | $119,781 | Not in our data | Not in our data |
| San Diego Police Department | City police | $77,688 | $119,725 | Not in our data | FY 2027 |
| Riverside Police Department Limited data | City police | $100,980 | Not in our data | Not in our data | Not in our data |
| Bakersfield Police Department | City police | $74,152 | $90,318 | Not in our data | Not in our data |
| Fresno Police Department Limited data | City police | $81,120 | Not in our data | Not in our data | Not in our data |
California: starting vs top-step pay
Starting base pay Top-step base pay
View chart data
| Department | Start | Top step |
|---|---|---|
| Irvine Police Department | $106,766 | $171,309 |
| California Highway Patrol | $116,040 | $168,288 |
| San Francisco Police Department | $121,654 | $154,934 |
| Oakland Police Department | $105,968 | $148,403 |
| Santa Ana Police Department | $110,052 | $133,776 |
| Stockton Police Department | $95,098 | $131,575 |
| Los Angeles Police Department | $93,730 | $127,660 |
| Long Beach Police Department | $97,635 | $126,942 |
| Sacramento Police Department | $89,383 | $119,781 |
| San Diego Police Department | $77,688 | $119,725 |
| Riverside Police Department | $100,980 | Not in our data |
| Bakersfield Police Department | $74,152 | $90,318 |
| Fresno Police Department | $81,120 | Not in our data |
Frequently asked questions
How much do police officers make in California?
In California, median starting base pay is $97,635 across 13 departments and median top-step pay is $131,575 across 11, from official pay schedules. Overtime, longevity and incentive pay are extra.
Which California police agency pays the most?
Of the departments in this guide, Irvine Police Department has the highest top-step base pay at $171,309.
What does the federal wage survey say about California police pay?
The BLS May 2025 survey puts the median annual wage for all police and sheriff’s patrol officers in California at $118,880. That estimate covers every agency and experience level, so it differs from department pay schedules.
Sources and last checked
- Police Officer Lateral or Academy Graduate - City of Irvine (governmentjobs.com) · Irvine Police Department
- CalHR Civil Service Pay Scale - Alpha by Class Title (Updated 10/26/2026) · California Highway Patrol
- Q002-Police Officer classification (SF Careers, City and County of San Francisco) · San Francisco Police Department
- City of Oakland - Police Officer (Lateral), Job 26-PS168-09L · Oakland Police Department
- Police Officer Academy Graduate - City of Santa Ana (governmentjobs.com) · Santa Ana Police Department
- City of Stockton job postings: Police Officer Academy Graduate (0126-01466) and Police Officer Trainee (1026-01624) · Stockton Police Department
- Stockton Police Department: official source page · Stockton Police Department
- MOU 24 Police Officers, Lieutenant and Below (2023-2027), Appendix E-2 Operative June 28, 2026 · Los Angeles Police Department
- Los Angeles Police Department: official source page · Los Angeles Police Department
- LBPD Salary and Benefits · Long Beach Police Department
- Join Sacramento PD: Incentives and Sworn Positions · Sacramento Police Department
- Sacramento Police Department: official source page · Sacramento Police Department
- City of San Diego FY 2027 Salary Ordinance (O-22098, amended by O-22119), Exhibit A-1 Salary Table effective July 1, 2026 · San Diego Police Department
- San Diego Police Department: official source page · San Diego Police Department
- Police Officer Trainee - City of Riverside (governmentjobs.com) · Riverside Police Department
- City of Bakersfield - Police Officer (Academy Graduate/Lateral), Job 02400 · Bakersfield Police Department
- City of Fresno - Police Officer Recruit, Job 14720 · Fresno Police Department
- BLS OEWS: Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers · U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
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