Police Officer Salary in Buena Park, CA: $111,955 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Buena Park, CA earns a median $111,955/year (≈ $53.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Buena Park's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $98,988 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the police officer salary in Buena Park, CA, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $111,955, significantly higher than the national average of $78,542—marking an impressive 42.54% increase in compensation relative to the national landscape. This salary range spans from $69,829 at the 10th percentile to $166,043 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the diverse earning potential based on experience, specialization, and department. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parity reflect the unique economic dynamics of Buena Park, where mandatory overtime associated with court appearances and special details can effectively elevate overall earnings. For officers willing to engage in these high-demand scenarios, the potential for additional income is noteworthy.
About the Buena Park Market
Salary estimated from California average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,829 | $33.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,288 | $41.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $111,955 | $53.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $142,029 | $68.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $166,043 | $79.83 |
Median Salary Position
42.54% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Buena Park
In Buena Park, CA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $96,214 (2026 est.). At $111,955, the local median is 42.54% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Buena Park: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Buena Park Police Officer Pay Compares
Buena Park median: $111,955/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Buena Park Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $110,518 | +1.30% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +42.54% more |
Police Officers in Buena Park, CA earn a median of $111,955 per year (2026 est.), which is 42.54% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.30% above the California state average of $110,518.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Buena Park has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Buena Park, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $111,955 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $98,988 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$90,015
2025 BLS Actual
$108,631
2026 Current Est.
$111,955
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Buena Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,015 | Actual |
| 2020 | $93,422 | Actual |
| 2021 | $92,096 | Actual |
| 2022 | $93,778 | Actual |
| 2023 | $103,029 | Actual |
| 2024 | $123,698 | Actual |
| 2025 | $108,631 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $111,955 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $115,381 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Buena Park metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $90,015 (2019) to $108,631 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $115,381 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,366 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Buena Park 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $69,829 – $86,288 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,288 – $111,955 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $111,955 – $142,029 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $142,029 – $166,043 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Buena Park
With only 20 police officers currently employed in Buena Park, the job market represents a tightly-knit community with a competitive pay structure influenced by the local cost of living index of 113.1. This figure reveals that while salaries are above the national norm, the local purchasing power does not match that advantage completely. Municipal police departments across Buena Park tend to offer the most lucrative positions, but factors such as assignment type—where federal roles or specialized units typically yield higher wages—also come into play. Salary deviations result from various elements, including agency type hierarchy (federal positions generally lead the pay scale), pension formulas, and union contract stipulations. For potential hires, maximizing pay in Buena Park may involve strategically considering special assignments, pursuing educational incentives, or leveraging overtime opportunities. Those aiming to advance should also explore pathways that transition from municipal to federal roles, where the salary potential is markedly enhanced.
More salary data for Buena Park, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Buena Park, CA in 2026?
Is Buena Park, CA a good place to work as a police officer?
Can police officers make $100K in Buena Park?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted police officer salary in Buena Park?
How much does a police officer make per hour in Buena Park?
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $108,631 for police officersin the Buena Park metropolitan area. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Buena Park 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