Police Officer Hourly Pay in Huntington Beach, CA: $53.33 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Huntington Beach, CA runs $53.33 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $110,939 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Huntington Beach's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $47.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $66,560 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Huntington Beach, California, the median hourly pay for police officers is projected at $53.33 in 2026, substantially higher than the national median of $37.76. This significant hourly rate reflects the competitive nature of law enforcement compensation in urban areas, as Huntington Beach often requires officers to manage various responsibilities. For those working on a part-time basis, such as three days a week, this translates to meaningful earnings despite reduced hours. The hourly wage range for police officers in this coastal city spans from $34.29 at the entry-level (10th percentile) to $82.67 for the most experienced officers at the 90th percentile. This range highlights the salary potential of officers across different experience levels and assignments—whether they are patrolling neighborhoods, processing reports at the station, or providing security at high-stakes events.
About the Huntington Beach 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) | $34.29 | $274.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.01 | $336.06 |
| Median (P50) | $53.33 | $426.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67.66 | $541.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82.67 | $661.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Huntington Beach
Based on $53.33/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $53.33/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Huntington Beach, CA can expect to earn approximately $110,934 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $64,000. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Huntington Beach.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Huntington Beach
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,133.34 | $9,244 | $110,934 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,280.01 | $5,547 | $66,560 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $853.34 | $3,698 | $44,374 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Huntington Beach) | $53.33 |
| 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 Huntington Beach, CA earn a median of $110,939 per year (2026 est.), which is 41.25% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 0.30% above the California state average of $110,607.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $53.33/hr = $66,560/year (purchasing power: $58,851).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $110,934/year (purchasing power: $98,085).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$42.88/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$51.75/hr
2026 Current Est.
$53.33/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Huntington Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.88/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $44.50/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $43.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $44.67/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $58.93/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $51.75/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53.33/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54.97/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Huntington Beach grew 20.7% from $42.88/hr (2019) to $51.75/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $54.97/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 Huntington Beach 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 Huntington Beach
Focusing on the financial dynamics of police officer hourly pay in Huntington Beach reveals important considerations for both full-time and part-time workers. Those opting for a part-time schedule, such as 24 hours a week, could potentially take home around $41,800 annually, considerably less than their full-time counterparts but still offering substantial supplemental income. Moreover, the per-diem reality can provide lucrative opportunities for police officers through overtime pay which often exceeds the base hourly rate by 1.5 times for court appearances or special duties. Extra-duty assignments in areas like event security can range from $35 to $75 per hour, illustrating the potential for significant supplemental income. Various types of law enforcement agencies, including municipal and federal entities, may offer differing hourly rates, with the trade-off often being health insurance benefits versus higher pay rates without such benefits. Therefore, officers negotiating their pay in Huntington Beach should weigh these factors carefully, considering both immediate earnings and long-term benefits unique to their chosen employer.
More salary data for Huntington Beach, 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 Huntington Beach. 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 Huntington Beach 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