Police Officer Hourly Pay in Tustin, CA: $53.10 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Tustin, CA runs $53.10 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $110,441 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Tustin's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $46.95 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $66,264 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Tustin, California, police officers earn a median hourly pay of $53.10, significantly higher than the national median of $37.76 per hour. This advantage provides financial benefits for part-time officers who may work three days a week, for an equivalent of approximately 24 hours. Such positions can provide a steady income while allowing flexibility for other pursuits. Per-diem officers, often engaged in critical activities like patrolling neighborhoods or assisting in investigations, benefit from hourly wages that range from $31.72 at entry-level to $79.21 for top earners. The estimated hourly rates derived from annual salary data illustrate that Tustin’s police officers enjoy competitive compensation, reflecting the high cost of living in the area and the demands of police work.
About the Tustin 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) | $31.72 | $253.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.04 | $320.31 |
| Median (P50) | $53.10 | $424.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67.64 | $541.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79.21 | $633.70 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tustin
Based on $53.10/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $53.10/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tustin, CA can expect to earn approximately $110,441 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $63,716. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Tustin.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tustin
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,123.86 | $9,203 | $110,441 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,274.32 | $5,522 | $66,264 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $849.54 | $3,681 | $44,176 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Tustin) | $53.10 |
| 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 Tustin, CA earn a median of $110,441 per year (2026 est.), which is 40.61% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 0.10% below the California state average of $110,552.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $53.10/hr = $66,264/year (purchasing power: $58,589).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $110,441/year (purchasing power: $97,649).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$42.69/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$51.52/hr
2026 Current Est.
$53.10/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Tustin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.69/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $44.31/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $43.68/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $44.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $48.86/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $58.67/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $51.52/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53.10/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54.72/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Tustin grew 20.7% from $42.69/hr (2019) to $51.52/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $54.72/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 Tustin 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 Tustin
For those officers exploring part-time opportunities, working an average of 24 hours per week can yield diverse earnings depending on their schedule and overtime situations. In many departments, mandatory overtime, which commands 1.5 times the regular rate for tasks like court appearances or extended shifts, can effectively increase total earnings by as much as 50%. Furthermore, extra-duty assignments, often in the $35-$75 range per hour, provide opportunities to earn above the base pay. Different employer types across Tustin, including municipal police, county sheriffs, and federal agencies, can also present varying pay scales based on jurisdiction and security needs. While some may prioritize higher hourly rates available in private security or with less comprehensive benefits, many officers value the stability and health insurance benefits tied to municipal roles. When negotiating pay, it’s wise to weigh these benefits versus hourly rates, ensuring a balance aligns with long-term career goals and personal financial needs.
More salary data for Tustin, 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 Tustin. 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 Tustin 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