Police Officer Salary

Dublin vs Los Angeles: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Dublin, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Dublin, CA
$111,877
$53.79/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$125,713
$60.43/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDublin, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$111,877$125,713
Hourly Rate$53.79$60.43
Entry Level (P10)$69,652$81,283
25th Percentile$83,682$101,184
75th Percentile$141,833$129,938
Top Earner (P90)$165,766$131,793
Total Employed1424,720
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dublin ($111,877) and Los Angeles ($125,713) police officer salaries.DublinLos AngelesMedian Salary$111,877$125,713Entry Level (P10)$69,652$81,283Top Earner (P90)$165,766$131,793US Median $78,542

Verdict

Los Angeles, CA offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Dublin.

The salary gap between Dublin and Los Angeles is $13,836 (12.37%). Los Angeles's median is +60.06% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dublin spans $96,114,Los Angeles spans $50,510. Dublin has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Dublin
P10 (Entry)$69,652
P25$83,682
Median$111,877
P75$141,833
P90 (Top)$165,766
Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$81,283
P25$101,184
Median$125,713
P75$129,938
P90 (Top)$131,793

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($110,696 effective) pays 11.91% more than Dublin ($98,919 effective).

Dublin
Nominal: $111,877
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $98,919
Los Angeles
Nominal: $125,713
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $110,696

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dublin if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($165,766)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Higher median salary ($125,713/year)
  • Larger job market (24,720 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $110,696)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Dublin grew -12.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 7.8% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Dublin, CA

+-12.2%

$123,611 (2024) → $108,555 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+7.8%

$113,160 (2019) → $121,980 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Dublin or Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has a higher median police officer salary at $125,713/year, compared to Dublin at $111,877/year — a difference of $13,836 (12.37%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dublin and Los Angeles?

Dublin police officers earn $53.79/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $60.43/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dublin to Los Angeles as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dublin and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dublin = $98,919, Los Angeles = $110,696), job availability (14 vs 24,720 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Dublin vs Los Angeles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $69,652 in Dublin and $81,283 in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in law enforcement. They specialize in community policing strategies. Jordan works with a municipal police department.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.06% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice, a licensed police officer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov