Police Officer Salary

Los Angeles vs Rialto: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

Los Angeles, CA
$125,713
$60.43/hr
Rialto, CA
$112,591
$54.13/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CARialto, CA
Median Salary$125,713$112,591
Hourly Rate$60.43$54.13
Entry Level (P10)$81,283$66,278
25th Percentile$101,184$83,975
75th Percentile$129,938$144,116
Top Earner (P90)$131,793$171,171
Total Employed24,72017
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($125,713) and Rialto ($112,591) police officer salaries.Los AngelesRialtoMedian Salary$125,713$112,591Entry Level (P10)$81,283$66,278Top Earner (P90)$131,793$171,171US Median $78,542

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Rialto is $13,122 (11.65%). 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 Los Angeles spans $50,510,Rialto spans $104,893. Rialto has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$81,283
P25$101,184
Median$125,713
P75$129,938
P90 (Top)$131,793
Rialto
P10 (Entry)$66,278
P25$83,975
Median$112,591
P75$144,116
P90 (Top)$171,171

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($110,696 effective) pays 11.20% more than Rialto ($99,550 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $125,713
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $110,696
Rialto
Nominal: $112,591
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $99,550

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Rialto if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($171,171)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Los Angeles grew 7.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -12.2% growth in Rialto over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+7.8%

$113,160 (2019) → $121,980 (2025)

Rialto, CA

+-12.2%

$124,401 (2024) → $109,248 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Los Angeles has a higher median police officer salary at $125,713/year, compared to Rialto at $112,591/year — a difference of $13,122 (11.65%).

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

Los Angeles police officers earn $60.43/hr while Rialto hygienists earn $54.13/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Rialto. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $110,696, Rialto = $99,550), job availability (24,720 vs 17 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $81,283 in Los Angeles and $66,278 in Rialto. 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