Police Officer Hourly Pay in Hawthorne, CA: $52.52 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Hawthorne, CA runs $52.52 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $109,232 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Hawthorne's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $46.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $65,544 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hawthorne, California, the projected police officer hourly pay for 2026 is set at $52.52, significantly higher than the national median of $37.76. This advantageous hourly rate translates well for part-time and per-diem police officers who typically work flexible schedules. For instance, someone working three days a week would earn approximately $3,349.44 monthly, with potential earnings varying across different duty assignments, such as patrol in marked vehicles, engaging with the community, or attending trials for professional testimony. The wage range for officers in Hawthorne spans from $30.66 at the lower end (P10) to $77.19 for the top earners (P90), reflecting diverse experiences, duties, and specific law enforcement roles.
About the Hawthorne 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) | $30.66 | $245.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.06 | $336.47 |
| Median (P50) | $52.52 | $420.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66.21 | $529.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77.19 | $617.54 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hawthorne
Based on $52.52/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $52.52/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hawthorne, CA can expect to earn approximately $109,240 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $63,023. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Hawthorne.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hawthorne
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,100.78 | $9,103 | $109,240 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,260.47 | $5,462 | $65,544 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $840.31 | $3,641 | $43,696 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Hawthorne) | $52.52 |
| 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 Hawthorne, CA earn a median of $109,232 per year (2026 est.), which is 39.07% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.20% below the California state average of $110,559.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $52.52/hr = $65,544/year (purchasing power: $57,952).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $109,240/year (purchasing power: $96,587).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$42.23/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$50.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$52.52/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Hawthorne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.23/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.83/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $43.20/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $43.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $48.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $58.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $50.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52.52/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Hawthorne grew 20.7% from $42.23/hr (2019) to $50.96/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $54.13/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 Hawthorne 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 Hawthorne
Evaluating the earning potential for part-time police officers reveals a noticeable difference when compared to full-time colleagues. An officer working 24 hours per week may see annual earnings around $40,193, far less than what full-timers can accumulate, especially when factoring in overtime due to mandatory court appearances and extra-duty assignments—often compensated at 1.5 times the hourly rate. Additionally, various employer types, from municipal police departments to federal agencies, can create significant discrepancies in hourly pay. While agency and per diem police officer pay in Hawthorne may offer higher rates for flexible work, benefits such as health insurance and pensions provided by full-time positions often lead officers to accept slightly lower hourly wages. Negotiating effectively for hourly work can hinge on understanding these trade-offs, recognizing that some officers prioritize benefits over a higher hourly rate, especially given the unique structure of law enforcement pensions.
More salary data for Hawthorne, 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 Hawthorne. 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 Hawthorne 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