Police Officer Hourly Pay in Merced, CA: $40.89 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Merced, CA runs $40.89 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $85,066 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Merced's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.3, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $41.61 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $51,036 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, police officers in Merced, California, can expect a median hourly pay of $40.89, which surpasses the national median hourly rate of $37.76. This higher pay reflects the cost of living and local demand for law enforcement services in the area. Officers in this role may work in various contexts, such as patrol vehicles on assigned beats, police stations for booking and report writing, or even courtrooms during criminal trials. The hourly pay range for police officers spans from $28.90 at the entry-level (10th percentile) to $77.28 for experienced officers (90th percentile), emphasizing opportunities for progression within the career. This official BLS data indicates a competitive pay structure that can make police work in Merced an attractive option for both full-time and per-diem officers.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.90 | $231.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.77 | $286.18 |
| Median (P50) | $40.89 | $327.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.45 | $387.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77.28 | $618.28 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Merced
Based on $40.89/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.89/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Merced, CA can expect to earn approximately $85,060 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $49,073. With a cost-of-living index of 98.28 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Merced.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Merced
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,635.77 | $7,088 | $85,060 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $981.46 | $4,253 | $51,036 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $654.31 | $2,835 | $34,024 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Merced) | $40.89 |
| 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 Merced, CA earn a median of $85,066 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.31% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 23.10% below the California state average of $110,619.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.89/hr = $51,036/year (purchasing power: $51,932).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $85,060/year (purchasing power: $86,553).
CoL index: 98.275 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$52.54/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.68/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.89/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+-19.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Merced (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.54/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.61/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.82/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.68/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.89/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.15/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Merced grew -24.5% from $52.54/hr (2019) to $39.68/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.15/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 Merced 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 Merced
Considering the part-time potential for three-day workweeks, a police officer might earn significantly differently than a full-time colleague. For instance, working 24 hours a week could amount to around $51,000 annually, which, while modest compared to full-time earnings, provides important flexibility for those balancing other commitments. In addition, positions often feature mandatory overtime that can increase earnings by an additional 20% to 50% depending on court appearances and special details, thus making per diem police officer pay in Merced quite lucrative. Different employer types, including municipal police departments and federal law enforcement agencies, play a role in determining hourly rates, with federal positions typically offering higher salaries but requiring more extensive qualifications. Officers might choose to accept lower hourly wages in exchange for health insurance and retirement benefits, particularly given the economic implications of pension multipliers. For those negotiating pay, having a clear understanding of local salary trends and the value of benefits can inform better decisions in a job market characterized by various pay scales across different law enforcement agencies.
More salary data for Merced, 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 Merced. 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