Police Officer Salary in Compton, CA: $109,495 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Compton, CA earns a median $109,495/year (≈ $52.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Compton's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $96,813 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officers in Compton, California, earn a median annual salary of $109,495, significantly exceeding the national median of $78,542 by 39.41%. The compensation range for officers here spans from $64,245 at the 10th percentile to $161,186 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the variety of roles and experience levels within local law enforcement. These estimates are drawn from BLS state-level data, adjusted for the regional cost of living, which can influence officers' take-home pay. In a city where the structural choice between federal, state, and municipal agencies is critical, local police departments offer a competitive pay structure that resonates with the realities of Compton's job market.
About the Compton Market
Salary estimated from California average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,245 | $30.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,007 | $42.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $109,495 | $52.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $138,435 | $66.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $161,186 | $77.49 |
Median Salary Position
39.41% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Compton
In Compton, CA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $96,941 (2026 est.). At $109,495, the local median is 39.41% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Compton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Compton Police Officer Pay Compares
Compton median: $109,495/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Compton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $110,601 | -1.00% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +39.41% more |
Police Officers in Compton, CA earn a median of $109,495 per year (2026 est.), which is 39.41% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.00% below the California state average of $110,601.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Compton has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Compton, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $109,495 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $96,813 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$88,037
2025 BLS Actual
$106,244
2026 Current Est.
$109,495
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Compton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,037 | Actual |
| 2020 | $91,369 | Actual |
| 2021 | $90,072 | Actual |
| 2022 | $91,718 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,765 | Actual |
| 2024 | $120,980 | Actual |
| 2025 | $106,244 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $109,495 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $112,846 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Compton metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $88,037 (2019) to $106,244 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $112,846 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,809 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Compton 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) | $64,245 – $88,007 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,007 – $109,495 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $109,495 – $138,435 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $138,435 – $161,186 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Compton
With only 25 police officers employed in the area, Compton presents a unique job landscape for law enforcement professionals. The cost-of-living index stands at 113.1, indicating that residents face higher costs compared to the national average, which can impact purchasing power. Typically, municipal police departments provide the best pay within the area, while federal agencies, like the FBI, tend to offer more robust overall compensation. The variability in officer salaries can be attributed to various factors, including agency type, overtime opportunities, and specialized assignments such as SWAT or detective roles. To maximize earnings in Compton, officers may benefit from pursuing higher education incentives or seeking positions that confer additional stipends and benefits. Understanding these dynamics is essential for officers wishing to optimize their compensation strategy within this diverse market.
More salary data for Compton, 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 $106,244 for police officersin the Compton 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 Compton 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