California pays police and sheriff's patrol officers more than any other state — its $115,400 median leads all 51 states and D.C. reporting wage data.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $76,010 to $151,160 — a $75,150 spread, 11% wider than the national $67,640 range.
California employs roughly 9.8% of all police and sheriff's patrol officers in the country (65,170 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $76,010 | $36.55 |
| 25th percentile | $92,330 | $44.39 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $115,400 | $55.48 |
| 75th percentile | $128,470 | $61.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $151,160 | $72.67 |
| Mean (average) | $111,630 | $53.67 |
How California Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. California |
|---|---|---|
| California (current) | $115,400 | n/a |
| Washington | $102,640 | -11% |
| Illinois | $101,530 | -12% |
| Alaska | $100,300 | -13% |
| Colorado | $96,100 | -17% |
| New York | $93,050 | -19% |
| Hawaii | $89,390 | -23% |
| New Jersey | $89,030 | -23% |
| District of Columbia | $88,330 | -23% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in California
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Facilities Managers | $115,700 | 18,620 |
| Speech-Language Pathologists | $116,000 | 14,680 |
| Computer Programmers | $116,220 | 14,720 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $114,520 | 11,900 |
| Web Developers | $117,380 | 10,820 |
| School Psychologists | $118,310 | 9,350 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in California?
The mean police and sheriff's patrol officers salary in California is $111,630 per year. The median (middle) salary is $115,400 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in California?
Entry-level police and sheriff's patrol officerss (10th percentile) in California typically earn around $76,010 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $92,330 per year.
What is the highest Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in California?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in California make approximately $151,160 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $128,470 per year.
How does the California Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary compare to the national average?
The median police and sheriff's patrol officers salary in California is $115,400, which is +51% above national average of $76,290.