Police Officer Hourly Pay in Chico, CA: $46.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Chico, CA runs $46.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $97,660 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Chico's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.2, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $46.40 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $58,599 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chico, California, the projected median police officer hourly pay for 2026 is $46.95, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $37.76. This competitive rate not only positions Chico officers well among their peers but also influences part-time and per-diem opportunities. Those working in various settings—whether patrolling assigned beats, engaging in court testimony, or conducting interviews in plainclothes—can expect a flexible hourly income based on their commitments. New officers might earn around $27.66 per hour, while experienced personnel could see wages rise to $77.28 per hour. Such official Bureau of Labor Statistics data illustrates the attractive earning potential within this profession, demonstrating both the entry-level thresholds and the rewards for seasoned veterans in the field.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.66 | $221.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.13 | $305.06 |
| Median (P50) | $46.95 | $375.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.22 | $393.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77.28 | $618.28 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chico
Based on $46.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.95/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chico, CA can expect to earn approximately $97,665 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $56,345. With a cost-of-living index of 101.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Chico.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chico
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,878.17 | $8,139 | $97,665 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,126.90 | $4,883 | $58,599 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $751.27 | $3,255 | $39,066 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Chico) | $46.95 |
| 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 Chico, CA earn a median of $97,660 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.34% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 11.70% below the California state average of $110,600.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.95/hr = $58,599/year (purchasing power: $57,906).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $97,665/year (purchasing power: $96,509).
CoL index: 101.197 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$39.94/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.56/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.95/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Chico (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.94/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.90/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $39.94/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.88/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.29/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.56/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Chico grew 14.1% from $39.94/hr (2019) to $45.56/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $48.39/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 Chico 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 Chico
For part-time police officers in Chico, often working about three days a week for a total of 24 hours, the annual take-home can fall significantly short of what full-time counterparts earn. While these officers benefit from more flexible schedules, their payouts can be enhanced through overtime, which adds 20-50% to base pay during court appearances or special assignments. Additionally, off-duty opportunities such as event security yield cash payments ranging from $35 to $75 per hour. Depending on the employer type—whether municipal departments or federal law enforcement agencies—hourly rates can vary substantially. Some officers may trade off lower hourly wages for robust benefits like health insurance, a compelling choice for many as they plan long-term. Negotiation remains essential for hourly workers in Chico, particularly as they balance between salary and benefits across the spectrum of policing environments in CA.
More salary data for Chico, 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 Chico. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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