Police Officer Hourly Pay in San Diego, CA: $54.70 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in San Diego, CA runs $54.70 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $113,778 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against San Diego's regional price level (BEA RPP 111.9, 12% above national), each hour of work buys what $48.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $68,271 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In San Diego, the projected median hourly pay for police officers in 2026 is $54.70, significantly surpassing the national median of $37.76. This hourly rate translates into a robust income for those engaged in part-time work, with officers typically scheduled for three days a week earning over $4,000 monthly, depending on hours worked. For per-diem police officers, who may fill in for full-time employees or take on special assignments, the opportunities are plentiful in various settings, including patrol vehicles, booking rooms at police stations, or specialized operations like SWAT. As noted in the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, the hourly wage for police officers in San Diego ranges from $38.65 for entry-level positions to as much as $75.30 for top earners, reflecting the diverse roles and responsibilities within the profession.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.65 | $309.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.81 | $326.49 |
| Median (P50) | $54.70 | $437.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61.29 | $490.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75.30 | $602.37 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Diego
Based on $54.70/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $54.70/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Diego, CA can expect to earn approximately $113,785 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $65,645. With a cost-of-living index of 111.89 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Diego.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Diego
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,188.17 | $9,482 | $113,785 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,312.90 | $5,689 | $68,271 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $875.27 | $3,793 | $45,514 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (San Diego) | $54.70 |
| 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 San Diego, CA earn a median of $113,778 per year (2026 est.), which is 44.86% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 2.90% above the California state average of $110,572.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $54.70/hr = $68,271/year (purchasing power: $61,018).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $113,785/year (purchasing power: $101,696).
CoL index: 111.887 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$44.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$53.08/hr
2026 Current Est.
$54.70/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in San Diego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $45.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.88/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $52.66/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $52.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $53.08/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54.70/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56.38/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in San Diego grew 18.9% from $44.63/hr (2019) to $53.08/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $56.38/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 San Diego 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 San Diego
Examining the potential earnings for a part-time police officer in San Diego reveals the substantial difference compared to full-time work. A three-day workweek translates to 24 hours, allowing part-time officers to take home nearly $60,000 yearly, which can be further supplemented through overtime and off-duty assignments. Many officers find that overtime pay, offered at 1.5 times the base rate for court appearances and special details, can boost their earnings by 20-50%, enhancing their overall compensation package. Different employer types across the city, ranging from municipal police departments to federal law enforcement agencies, also influence hourly earnings; municipal officers may see lower rates than their federal counterparts, who are often on the GS-13 scale. With health benefits and pension plans often tied to hourly wages, officers must weigh compensation carefully, sometimes accepting lower hourly rates for job security and benefits. Understanding the negotiation landscape for hourly work, particularly for roles such as per diem police officer pay in San Diego, is crucial for those entering the field or considering adjustments in their career.
More salary data for San Diego, 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 San Diego. 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