Police Officer Salary

San Francisco vs Victorville: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between San Francisco, CA and Victorville, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

San Francisco, CA
$136,039
$65.40/hr
Victorville, CA
$108,876
$52.34/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CAVictorville, CA
Median Salary$136,039$108,876
Hourly Rate$65.40$52.34
Entry Level (P10)$98,309$66,947
25th Percentile$128,794$81,007
75th Percentile$146,149$139,361
Top Earner (P90)$161,485$164,901
Total Employed7,99030
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($136,039) and Victorville ($108,876) police officer salaries.San FranciscoVictorvilleMedian Salary$136,039$108,876Entry Level (P10)$98,309$66,947Top Earner (P90)$161,485$164,901US Median $78,542

Verdict

San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Victorville.

The salary gap between San Francisco and Victorville is $27,163 (24.95%). San Francisco's median is +73.21% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in San Francisco spans $63,176,Victorville spans $97,954. Victorville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$98,309
P25$128,794
Median$136,039
P75$146,149
P90 (Top)$161,485
Victorville
P10 (Entry)$66,947
P25$81,007
Median$108,876
P75$139,361
P90 (Top)$164,901

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($117,668 effective) pays 22.23% more than Victorville ($96,265 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $136,039
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $117,668
Victorville
Nominal: $108,876
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $96,265

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($136,039/year)
  • Larger job market (7,990 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $117,668)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Victorville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($164,901)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in San Francisco grew 8.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -12.2% growth in Victorville over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+8.5%

$121,650 (2019) → $132,000 (2025)

Victorville, CA

+-12.2%

$120,295 (2024) → $105,643 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: San Francisco or Victorville?

San Francisco has a higher median police officer salary at $136,039/year, compared to Victorville at $108,876/year — a difference of $27,163 (24.95%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Francisco and Victorville?

San Francisco police officers earn $65.40/hr while Victorville hygienists earn $52.34/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from San Francisco to Victorville as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and Victorville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $117,668, Victorville = $96,265), job availability (7,990 vs 30 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in San Francisco vs Victorville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $98,309 in San Francisco and $66,947 in Victorville. The San Francisco 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