Police Officer Salary in Downey, CA: $111,940 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Downey, CA earns a median $111,940/year (≈ $53.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Downey's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $98,974 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Police officer salaries in Downey, California, show a competitive offer within the broader law enforcement landscape, with a projected median annual salary of $111,940 in 2026. This figure is notably higher than the national median salary of $78,542, representing a 42.52% increase compared to the national average. The salary range for police officers in Downey reflects varying levels of experience and specialization, starting at $64,925 for the 10th percentile and reaching up to $173,507 for the 90th percentile. These estimates derive from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost considerations. This promising compensation structure indicates that policing in Downey may attract skilled candidates despite overall employment uncertainties.
About the Downey Market
Salary estimated from California average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,925 | $31.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,936 | $41.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $111,940 | $53.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $143,282 | $68.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $173,507 | $83.42 |
Median Salary Position
42.52% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Downey
In Downey, CA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $108,582 (2026 est.). At $111,940, the local median is 42.52% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Downey: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Downey Police Officer Pay Compares
Downey median: $111,940/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Downey Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $110,503 | +1.30% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +42.52% more |
Police Officers in Downey, CA earn a median of $111,940 per year (2026 est.), which is 42.52% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.30% above the California state average of $110,503.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Downey has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Downey, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $111,940 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $98,974 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$90,003
2025 BLS Actual
$108,616
2026 Current Est.
$111,940
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Downey (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,003 | Actual |
| 2020 | $93,409 | Actual |
| 2021 | $92,083 | Actual |
| 2022 | $93,765 | Actual |
| 2023 | $103,015 | Actual |
| 2024 | $123,680 | Actual |
| 2025 | $108,616 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $111,940 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $115,365 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Downey metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $90,003 (2019) to $108,616 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $115,365 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,362 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Downey 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) | $64,925 – $86,936 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,936 – $111,940 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $111,940 – $143,282 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $143,282 – $173,507 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Downey
The local job market for police officers in Downey features 22 individuals currently employed, suggesting a modest but stable demand in this sector. With a cost of living index of 113.1, officers may find their take-home pay significantly impacted, emphasizing the importance of negotiating benefits and overtime. Among various employers, federal agencies like the FBI typically offer higher salaries, followed closely by larger municipal police departments, while county sheriff's offices and state police may present salaries in the mid-tier range. Factors influencing the variance in pay include agency type, overtime structure due to union contracts, and special assignments such as SWAT or K-9 units, which often come with additional financial incentives. For aspiring police officers in Downey, taking advantage of educational opportunities and specializing within the department can lead to enhanced compensation and a more profitable career trajectory.
More salary data for Downey, 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 $108,616 for police officersin the Downey 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 Downey 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