Police Officer Salary in Los Angeles, CA: $125,713 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Los Angeles, CA earns a median $125,713/year (≈ $60.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Los Angeles's price level (14% above national, BEA RPP 113.6), that paycheck buys what $110,696 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.7% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the police officer salary in Los Angeles, CA, is projected to reach a median of $125,713, significantly surpassing the national average by 60.06%. The salary range for this position varies widely, with lower earners at $81,283 and top earners making $131,793, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. This data reflects the favorable compensation landscape for law enforcement in high-cost urban areas like Los Angeles, where pension plans also stand out. Given the pension multiplier impacts on retirement packages in the police force, officers often find long-term financial benefits compelling, making the role an attractive career choice for new recruits and seasoned veterans alike.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,283 | $39.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,184 | $48.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $125,713 | $60.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $129,938 | $62.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $131,793 | $63.36 |
Median Salary Position
60.06% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, CA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,510 (2026 est.). At $125,713, the local median is 60.06% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Los Angeles: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Los Angeles Police Officer Pay Compares
Los Angeles median: $125,713/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Los Angeles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $110,565 | +13.70% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +60.06% more |
Police Officers in Los Angeles, CA earn a median of $125,713 per year (2026 est.), which is 60.06% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 13.70% above the California state average of $110,565.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Los Angeles has a cost of living 13.57% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Los Angeles, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.566 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $125,713 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $110,696 — a 11.95% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$113,160
2025 BLS Actual
$121,980
2026 Current Est.
$125,713
2019–2027 Growth
+14.5%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Los Angeles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,160 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,020 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,160 | Actual |
| 2023 | $113,460 | Actual |
| 2024 | $115,630 | Actual |
| 2025 | $121,980 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $125,713 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $129,559 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 7.8% from $113,160 (2019) to $121,980 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $129,559 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,399 (14.49%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Los Angeles 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) | $81,283 – $101,184 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,184 – $125,713 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $125,713 – $129,938 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $129,938 – $131,793 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Los Angeles
The job market in Los Angeles supports approximately 24,720 police officers, highlighting a significant demand for law enforcement professionals. With a cost-of-living index of 113.566, officers must navigate the realities of a higher-than-average living expense while managing their earnings. Among various employers, municipal police departments typically offer competitive salaries; however, federal law enforcement positions such as the FBI and DEA tend to have higher compensation scales, often bolstered by overtime pay. Factors contributing to the salary range include union negotiations, specialized assignments like SWAT or detective roles, and educational incentives that reward officers pursuing advanced degrees. For those in the Los Angeles market, maximizing pay comes down to strategic career decisions, including seeking positions that provide overtime, additional training certifications, or transfers to units with higher compensation rates.
More salary data for Los Angeles, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can police officers make $100K in Los Angeles?
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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 $121,980 for police officersin the Los Angeles 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