Police Officer Hourly Pay in Richmond, CA: $54.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Richmond, CA runs $54.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $112,645 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Richmond's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $47.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $67,589 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Richmond, California, the median hourly pay for police officers is projected to be $54.16 in 2026, significantly outpacing the national hourly median of $37.76. This robust pay scale underscores the city's commitment to competitive compensation for law enforcement personnel. For part-time officers working three days a week, which equates to approximately 24 hours, this hourly rate allows them to earn a respectable income, making policing a viable option even on a limited schedule. The hourly wage spans from $31.70 for entry-level positions to $82.39 for top earners, reflecting a range of responsibilities and expertise found within different policing roles. Whether in patrol vehicles responding to emergencies, at police stations conducting bookings, or providing testimony in court, the hourly pay structure plays a critical role in attracting skilled individuals to these various settings.
About the Richmond 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) | $31.70 | $253.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.42 | $323.36 |
| Median (P50) | $54.16 | $433.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69.32 | $554.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82.39 | $659.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Richmond
Based on $54.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $54.16/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Richmond, CA can expect to earn approximately $112,649 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $64,990. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Richmond.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Richmond
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,166.32 | $9,387 | $112,649 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,299.79 | $5,632 | $67,589 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $866.53 | $3,755 | $45,059 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Richmond) | $54.16 |
| 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 Richmond, CA earn a median of $112,645 per year (2026 est.), which is 43.42% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.90% above the California state average of $110,544.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $54.16/hr = $67,589/year (purchasing power: $59,761).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $112,649/year (purchasing power: $99,601).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$43.54/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$52.55/hr
2026 Current Est.
$54.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43.54/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $45.19/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $44.55/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $45.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.84/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $59.84/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $52.55/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55.82/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Richmond grew 20.7% from $43.54/hr (2019) to $52.55/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $55.82/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 Richmond 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 Richmond
Beyond the basic hourly pay, part-time police officers in Richmond have unique earning scenarios compared to their full-time counterparts. A three-day workweek provides flexibility but may yield significantly less annual income, whereas full-time officers often enjoy steady monthly earnings bolstered by mandatory overtime. This additional pay rate, generally paid at 1.5 times the base for various duties such as court appearances or extended shifts, can add an impressive 20-50% to take-home earnings. Moreover, opportunities for additional per diem police officer pay in Richmond exist through off-duty jobs, including event security or construction flagging, often earning $35-$75 per hour in cash. Given the differing pay structures among employer types—municipal departments, county sheriff’s offices, and federal agencies—officers need to weigh their hourly pay versus benefits carefully. Some may opt for lower hourly wages with comprehensive health insurance, while others might prioritize cash pay without benefits. Officers seeking higher pay in specific sectors should be prepared to negotiate effectively, emphasizing their skills and the unique attributes they bring to the role.
More salary data for Richmond, 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 Richmond. 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 Richmond 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