Police Officer Hourly Pay in Brea, CA: $50.43 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Brea, CA runs $50.43 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $104,889 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Brea's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $44.59 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,933 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the hourly pay for police officers in Brea, California, stands at $50.43, significantly higher than the national average hourly median of $37.76. This elevated rate reflects the local cost of living, which is above the national average. For police officers working part-time, such as on a three-day workweek, this translates to approximately $48,000 annually, assuming they are working 24 hours with no overtime. In terms of hourly earnings, officers can expect a range from $32.80 for entry-level positions to $74.72 for those at the top of the pay scale, which includes specialized roles or assignments in different settings like patrols, investigations, or court duties.
About the Brea Market
Salary estimated from California average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.80 | $262.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.78 | $318.25 |
| Median (P50) | $50.43 | $403.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64.44 | $515.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74.72 | $597.75 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Brea
Based on $50.43/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.43/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Brea, CA can expect to earn approximately $104,889 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,513. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Brea.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Brea
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,017.09 | $8,741 | $104,889 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,210.25 | $5,244 | $62,933 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $806.84 | $3,496 | $41,955 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Brea) | $50.43 |
| Firefighter (National Avg) | $28.13 |
| Detective / Criminal Investigator (National Avg) | $45.86 |
| Correctional Officer (National Avg) | $25.24 |
| Security Guard (National Avg) | $17.32 |
Police Officers in Brea, CA earn a median of $104,889 per year (2026 est.), which is 33.55% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 5.10% below the California state average of $110,526.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.43/hr = $62,933/year (purchasing power: $55,644).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $104,889/year (purchasing power: $92,740).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$40.54/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.93/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.43/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Brea (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.54/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.08/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $41.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $42.24/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.41/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $55.72/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.93/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.43/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.97/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Brea grew 20.7% from $40.54/hr (2019) to $48.93/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.97/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem police officers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brea metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.06% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Police Officer in Brea
The earning potential for police officers in Brea varies considerably depending on the nature of their work. Part-time officers, with their scheduled 24 hours a week, may find flexibility appealing, though full-time officers benefit from additional earnings through overtime—which can elevate base pay by 20-50%. Per diem police officer pay in Brea often draws interest for its potential $35-$75 per hour opportunities during extra-duty assignments like event security. Officers may choose between various employer types, such as municipal departments or federal agencies, each with different benefit packages that influence overall compensation. Those in federal law enforcement roles might command higher hourly rates with additional perks. Understanding these differences is crucial for any officer navigating employment options; negotiating based on the desired balance of hourly pay and benefits could make a significant impact on long-term earnings, especially considering Brea's competitive job environment.
More salary data for Brea, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for police officers in Brea. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brea is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for police officers (SOC 33-3051).
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