Police Officer Salary in Lakewood, CA: $107,744 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Lakewood, CA earns a median $107,744/year (≈ $51.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Lakewood's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $95,264 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lakewood, California, police officer pay has a notable median annual salary projected at $107,744 for 2026. This figure reflects the area's competitive market dynamics, especially in comparison to the national median of $78,542, positioning Lakewood's wages more than 37% above the national standard. Salaries range significantly, with entry level positions starting at $69,189 (P10) and top-tier pay reaching $162,280 (P90). These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for the local cost of living, which suggests that police officers in Lakewood enjoy salaries that align with the specialized responsibilities of their roles. Given the local demand for law enforcement professionals, this salary structure is indicative of the city's commitment to attracting and retaining qualified personnel.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from California average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,189 | $33.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,173 | $39.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $107,744 | $51.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $137,913 | $66.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $162,280 | $78.02 |
Median Salary Position
37.18% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakewood
In Lakewood, CA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $93,091 (2026 est.). At $107,744, the local median is 37.18% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lakewood Police Officer Pay Compares
Lakewood median: $107,744/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $110,507 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +37.18% more |
Police Officers in Lakewood, CA earn a median of $107,744 per year (2026 est.), which is 37.18% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 2.50% below the California state average of $110,507.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakewood has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lakewood, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $107,744 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $95,264 — 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
$86,629
2025 BLS Actual
$104,545
2026 Current Est.
$107,744
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,629 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,908 | Actual |
| 2021 | $88,632 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,251 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,154 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,045 | Actual |
| 2025 | $104,545 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $107,744 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,041 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakewood metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $86,629 (2019) to $104,545 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,041 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,412 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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) | $69,189 – $82,173 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,173 – $107,744 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $107,744 – $137,913 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $137,913 – $162,280 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Lakewood
With only 19 police officers currently employed in the area, Lakewood's labor market for law enforcement is relatively small yet stable. The cost of living index, standing at 113.1, indicates that while salaries may be above the national average, officers must still navigate a higher expense threshold in their daily lives. Among local employers, municipal police departments tend to offer the most competitive compensation. Factors influencing the wide pay range include union contract negotiations, overtime opportunities, and veteran benefits associated with agency type. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Lakewood's structure, seeking specialized unit assignments or pursuing advanced training can provide distinct advantages. Additionally, understanding the pension benefits, including variance in multiplier formulas, can significantly impact long-term financial planning for officers in this competitive market.
More salary data for Lakewood, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Lakewood, CA in 2026?
Is Lakewood, CA a good place to work as a police officer?
Can police officers make $100K in Lakewood?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted police officer salary in Lakewood?
How much does a police officer make per hour in Lakewood?
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 $104,545 for police officersin the Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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