Police Officer Salary in Carson, CA: $108,348 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Carson, CA earns a median $108,348/year (≈ $52.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Carson's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $95,798 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officers in Carson, California can expect a median annual salary of $108,348, which is approximately 37.95% higher than the national median of $78,542. The local salary range spans from $70,534 at the lower tenth percentile to $167,939 at the ninety percentile, reflecting the diverse roles and responsibilities within law enforcement. These figures are projections based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost of living factors. Carson's robust job market for police officers ensures that officers can look forward to solid financial stability, bolstered by a pension multiplier that significantly impacts long-term retirement benefits for those who serve in this role.
About the Carson Market
Salary estimated from California average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,534 | $33.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,723 | $41.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $108,348 | $52.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $135,539 | $65.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $167,939 | $80.74 |
Median Salary Position
37.95% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Carson
In Carson, CA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $97,405 (2026 est.). At $108,348, the local median is 37.95% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Carson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Carson Police Officer Pay Compares
Carson median: $108,348/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Carson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $110,559 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +37.95% more |
Police Officers in Carson, CA earn a median of $108,348 per year (2026 est.), which is 37.95% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 2.00% below the California state average of $110,559.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Carson has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Carson, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $108,348 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $95,798 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$87,115
2025 BLS Actual
$105,131
2026 Current Est.
$108,348
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Carson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,115 | Actual |
| 2020 | $90,412 | Actual |
| 2021 | $89,129 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,757 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,710 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,712 | Actual |
| 2025 | $105,131 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $108,348 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,663 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Carson metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $87,115 (2019) to $105,131 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,663 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,548 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Carson 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) | $70,534 – $85,723 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,723 – $108,348 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $108,348 – $135,539 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $135,539 – $167,939 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Carson
The local employment landscape reveals a modest pool of 21 police officers active in Carson, highlighting a niche market for law enforcement professionals. The cost-of-living index at 113.1 suggests that while salaries are competitive, they must align with the increased expenses of living in this area. Most officers in Carson can expect to find the most lucrative opportunities within municipal departments, particularly those with favorable union contracts that offer overtime and specialized unit pay. Factors such as assignment to high-stakes roles—like SWAT or detective work, along with educational incentives and shift differentials—are crucial for enhancing overall compensation. By seeking assignments that provide these benefits and confirming their pension plans, officers can strategically maximize their earnings as they navigate the career paths available in the Carson CA area.
More salary data for Carson, 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
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 $105,131 for police officersin the Carson 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 Carson 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