Police Officer Hourly Pay in Santa Clara, CA: $68.59 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Santa Clara, CA runs $68.59 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $142,658 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Santa Clara's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $60.64 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $85,596 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Santa Clara, California, police officer hourly pay is projected to be quite competitive, with a median rate of $68.59 per hour, significantly outpacing the national median of $37.76 per hour. This robust hourly wage allows officers the flexibility to work part-time or engage in per-diem assignments within various law enforcement settings, such as patrol units, court participation, or specialized operations like SWAT or K-9 details. For those starting out in the profession, hourly earnings can begin at approximately $41.28, while top earners may command over $102.90 per hour, highlighting the breadth of opportunity within the department. This pay structure reflects both the urban cost of living and the specialized skills required for effective policing in the Santa Clara region.
About the Santa Clara 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) | $41.28 | $330.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54.43 | $435.41 |
| Median (P50) | $68.59 | $548.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87.36 | $698.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102.90 | $823.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Clara
Based on $68.59/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $68.59/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Clara, CA can expect to earn approximately $142,660 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $82,304. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Clara.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Clara
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,743.46 | $11,888 | $142,660 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,646.07 | $7,133 | $85,596 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,097.38 | $4,755 | $57,064 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Santa Clara) | $68.59 |
| 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 Santa Clara, CA earn a median of $142,658 per year (2026 est.), which is 81.63% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 29.00% above the California state average of $110,587.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $68.59/hr = $85,596/year (purchasing power: $75,682).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $142,660/year (purchasing power: $126,136).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$55.15/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$66.55/hr
2026 Current Est.
$68.59/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Santa Clara (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55.15/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $57.23/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $56.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $57.45/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $63.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $60.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $66.55/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68.59/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70.69/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Santa Clara grew 20.7% from $55.15/hr (2019) to $66.55/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $70.69/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 Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara
Part-time police officers working three days a week can earn substantial yearly figures, although these earnings will be lower when compared to their full-time counterparts. Those in per-diem roles often find that they can supplement their income significantly through overtime, typically earning 1.5 times their base hourly rate during court appearances or special assignments. This overtime can increase annual income by 20-50%, making the flexible nature of police work appealing for many. Variation in pay also exists based on employer type—municipal departments, county sheriff's offices, and federal agencies all come with different pay scales and benefits packages. Officers may weigh higher hourly rates against health benefits when considering employment options. Understanding these nuances can empower officers negotiating their contracts, especially in a competitive market like Santa Clara, where compensation can vary significantly among agencies.
More salary data for Santa Clara, 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 Santa Clara. 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 Santa Clara 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