Police Officer Hourly Pay in Santa Maria, CA: $59.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Santa Maria, CA runs $59.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $124,600 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Santa Maria's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.8, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $55.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $74,766 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
For police officers in Santa Maria, California, the projected hourly rate in 2026 is approximately $59.91, significantly higher than the national median of $37.76. This wage facilitates a substantial standard of living, especially for those working as part-time officers or on a per-diem basis. Officers typically work in various settings, including patrol cars and courtrooms, where their earnings can vary dramatically based on their experience level and the specific demands of the job. Entry-level positions may start around $39.23 per hour, while more experienced officers could reach upper echelons of about $65.15. This information, sourced from official BLS estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, reflects the competitive nature of police officer hourly pay in Santa Maria, positioning it favorably compared to officers across the nation.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.23 | $313.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.16 | $401.27 |
| Median (P50) | $59.91 | $479.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59.91 | $479.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65.15 | $521.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Maria
Based on $59.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $59.91/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Maria, CA can expect to earn approximately $124,610 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $71,891. With a cost-of-living index of 108.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Maria.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Maria
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,396.35 | $10,384 | $124,610 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,437.81 | $6,231 | $74,766 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $958.54 | $4,154 | $49,844 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Santa Maria) | $59.91 |
| 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 Maria, CA earn a median of $124,600 per year (2026 est.), which is 58.64% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 12.70% above the California state average of $110,559.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $59.91/hr = $74,766/year (purchasing power: $68,720).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $124,610/year (purchasing power: $114,534).
CoL index: 108.798 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$52.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$58.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$59.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+18.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Santa Maria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $52.27/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.24/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $52.16/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $56.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $57.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $58.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Santa Maria grew 11.6% from $52.09/hr (2019) to $58.13/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $61.74/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 Maria 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 Maria
When considering part-time employment of three days a week, a police officer working 24 hours would earn approximately $46,591 annually before taxes. This contrasts sharply with full-time earnings, where the potential for overtime significantly impacts overall income. In many departments, mandatory overtime for court appearances or special assignments can drive hourly rates up by 20-50%. Further, off-duty opportunities, such as event security, might offer cash pay between $35 to $75 per hour, adding another layer to the income potential for police officers in Santa Maria. Employment across various entities like municipal police departments and federal law enforcement agencies adds to the variability in pay rates, often resulting in lower rates for workers who choose roles with strong benefits instead of higher hourly wages. For officers negotiating their pay, understanding these nuances can be crucial, as some may prioritize health insurance and pension over a higher rate without benefits.
More salary data for Santa Maria, 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 Maria. 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