Police Officer Hourly Pay in San Rafael, CA: $53.92 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in San Rafael, CA runs $53.92 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $112,165 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against San Rafael's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $47.68 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $67,293 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officers in San Rafael, California, earn a median hourly pay of $53.92, significantly higher than the national median hourly rate of $37.76. This advantageous hourly compensation reflects the city's higher cost of living and the demands associated with law enforcement duties. For those considering part-time work—say three days a week—this translates into substantial earnings, whether patrolling neighborhoods, handling paperwork at the police station, or engaging in specialized operations. Entry-level officers can expect to earn around $33.74 per hour, while top earners in the area can reach up to $80.02, making this profession appealing across a range of experience levels and operational settings.
About the San Rafael 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) | $33.74 | $269.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.69 | $333.50 |
| Median (P50) | $53.92 | $431.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68.56 | $548.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80.02 | $640.13 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Rafael
Based on $53.92/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $53.92/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Rafael, CA can expect to earn approximately $112,156 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $64,705. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Rafael.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Rafael
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,156.84 | $9,346 | $112,156 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,294.10 | $5,608 | $67,293 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $862.74 | $3,739 | $44,862 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (San Rafael) | $53.92 |
| 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 Rafael, CA earn a median of $112,165 per year (2026 est.), which is 42.81% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.50% above the California state average of $110,508.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $53.92/hr = $67,293/year (purchasing power: $59,499).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $112,156/year (purchasing power: $99,165).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$43.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$52.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$53.92/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in San Rafael (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43.35/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $44.99/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $44.36/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $45.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.62/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $59.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $52.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53.92/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in San Rafael grew 20.7% from $43.35/hr (2019) to $52.32/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $55.57/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 Rafael 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 Rafael
Part-time law enforcement positions can yield a different financial picture, especially when weighed against full-time roles. Working just 24 hours a week, an officer might take home around $42,080 annually, which can be less favorable compared to full-time earnings that often include overtime pay. Many positions necessitate overtime for court appearances or special duties, which can enhance base compensation by 20-50%. Per diem police officer pay in San Rafael generally oscillates between $35 and $75 per hour, especially in off-duty assignments. Additionally, there’s a range of payment structures across various employer types, including municipal police, county sheriff's offices, and federal agencies, which influence hourly rates and benefit packages. Officers might trade slightly lower pay for comprehensive health benefits, making benefits an essential consideration. Negotiating these factors effectively can lead to better opportunities for both part-time and full-time officers navigating their career paths in San Rafael.
More salary data for San Rafael, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for police officers in San Rafael in 2026?
How much do part-time police officers make in San Rafael?
Are police officers in San Rafael paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time police officer make per year in San Rafael?
Do police officers earn more per hour working part-time in San Rafael?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 Rafael. 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 San Rafael 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