Police Officer Salary in Chico, CA: $97,660 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Chico, CA earns a median $97,660/year (≈ $46.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Chico's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.2), that paycheck buys what $96,505 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.7% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chico, California, the figure at the forefront of police officer compensation is a median salary of $97,660 for 2026, underscoring a competitive advantage over the national median of $78,542. This reflects a robust local market for law enforcement, driven not only by base pay but also by factors such as the pension multiplier formula that can significantly enhance long-term retirement benefits. The salary spectrum for police officers in Chico ranges from $57,528 at the lower end to $160,753 for those at the top percentile. Data derived from official BLS OEWS surveys indicates that law enforcement roles here are not only viable but also potentially lucrative over time, which adds appealing layers to the overall job market for those considering a career in this field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,528 | $27.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,315 | $38.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,660 | $46.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,390 | $49.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $160,753 | $77.28 |
Median Salary Position
24.34% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chico
In Chico, CA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $103,225 (2026 est.). At $97,660, the local median is 24.34% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chico: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chico Police Officer Pay Compares
Chico median: $97,660/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chico Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $110,600 | -11.70% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +24.34% more |
Police Officers in Chico, CA earn a median of $97,660 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.34% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 11.70% below the California state average of $110,600.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chico has a cost of living 1.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chico, CA has a cost-of-living index of 101.197 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $97,660 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $96,505 — a 1.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$83,070
2025 BLS Actual
$94,760
2026 Current Est.
$97,660
2019–2027 Growth
+21.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Chico (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,070 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,750 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,080 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,940 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,360 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,890 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,760 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,660 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,648 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chico metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 14.1% from $83,070 (2019) to $94,760 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,648 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,578 (21.16%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chico 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) | $57,528 – $79,315 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,315 – $97,660 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,660 – $102,390 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,390 – $160,753 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Chico
Chico's law enforcement environment boasts around 270 police officers, suggesting a stable job market. However, the cost of living index of 101.197 reflects a reality that officers must manage their take-home income carefully. Among various employers, municipal police departments typically provide the most competitive salaries compared to county sheriff's offices and state police units. Factors influencing the compensation dynamics include the type of agency, overtime structures, shift differentials, and educational incentives that can enhance salaries, highlighting the need for personal investment in training and development. To maximize earnings, local officers should consider seeking special unit assignments or union representation for better labor conditions and pay negotiations, ensuring they are well-equipped for the opportunities present within the Chico market.
More salary data for Chico, 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 $94,760 for police officersin the Chico 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
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