Police Officer Hourly Pay in Long Beach, CA: $60.64 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Long Beach, CA runs $60.64 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $126,130 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Long Beach's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $53.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $75,679 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Long Beach, CA, the projected median hourly pay for police officers in 2026 is $60.64, significantly higher than the national average of $37.76 per hour. This promising hourly rate appeals to potential part-time and per-diem workers in various police settings, such as patrol units, centralized police stations, or special criminal investigation operations. For those working part-time, a schedule of three days per week translates to approximately 72 hours per month, allowing for a substantial income even without full-time hours. Additionally, the hourly pay ranges from $35.17 for entry-level positions to as much as $93.99 for seasoned officers, presenting a wide scope of earning potential within the Long Beach law enforcement landscape.
About the Long 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) | $35.17 | $281.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.77 | $382.15 |
| Median (P50) | $60.64 | $485.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77.61 | $620.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93.99 | $751.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Long Beach
Based on $60.64/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $60.64/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Long Beach, CA can expect to earn approximately $126,132 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $72,769. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Long Beach.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Long Beach
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,425.62 | $10,511 | $126,132 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,455.37 | $6,307 | $75,679 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $970.25 | $4,204 | $50,453 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Long Beach) | $60.64 |
| 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 Long Beach, CA earn a median of $126,130 per year (2026 est.), which is 60.59% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 14.10% above the California state average of $110,543.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $60.64/hr = $75,679/year (purchasing power: $66,914).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $126,132/year (purchasing power: $111,523).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$48.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$58.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$60.64/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Long Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $50.60/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $49.88/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $50.79/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $55.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $61.87/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $58.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60.64/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62.50/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Long Beach grew 20.7% from $48.76/hr (2019) to $58.84/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $62.50/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 Long 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 Long Beach
Part-time officers in Long Beach, working just three days a week, can expect to take home a solid income, but less than their full-time counterparts who have the advantage of full benefits and overtime opportunities. Full-time police officers frequently benefit from overtime pay of 1.5 times their base rate for court appearances, additional shifts, and special assignments, enhancing their overall earnings by 20-50%. Per diem police officer pay in Long Beach can be lucrative as well, particularly for those willing to take on extra-duty assignments that often offer rates between $35-$75 per hour. Several factors affect hourly rates across different employer types in the region, including municipal, county, and federal positions. Officers may weigh the trade-off of accepting a lower hourly rate in exchange for comprehensive health benefits against pursuing higher hourly wage opportunities devoid of such benefits. For those negotiating their hourly pay, it is crucial to consider not only the base rate but also potential overtime and benefits when evaluating offers in Long Beach law enforcement.
More salary data for Long 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 Long 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 Long 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