Police Officer Salary in Modesto, CA: $101,236 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Modesto, CA earns a median $101,236/year (≈ $48.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Modesto's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 104.1), that paycheck buys what $97,241 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.4% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Modesto, California, the compensation for police officers is notably competitive, highlighted by a projected median annual salary of $101,236 for 2026. This figure positions local police officer pay significantly above the national median of $78,542, representing a 28.89% advantage. Salary estimates indicate a range from $80,624 at the 10th percentile to $127,475 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the variability in compensation based on experience, specialization, and agency type. Drawing upon data projected from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, these figures underscore the favorable employment landscape for officers within the city, shaped by various structural choices in law enforcement, including federal, municipal, and state roles.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,624 | $38.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,571 | $40.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,236 | $48.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,998 | $49.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $127,475 | $61.29 |
Median Salary Position
28.89% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Modesto
In Modesto, CA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,851 (2026 est.). At $101,236, the local median is 28.89% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Modesto: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Modesto Police Officer Pay Compares
Modesto median: $101,236/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Modesto Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $110,519 | -8.40% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +28.89% more |
Police Officers in Modesto, CA earn a median of $101,236 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.89% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 8.40% below the California state average of $110,519.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Modesto has a cost of living 4.11% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Modesto, CA has a cost-of-living index of 104.108 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $101,236 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $97,241 — a 3.95% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$84,790
2025 BLS Actual
$98,230
2026 Current Est.
$101,236
2019–2027 Growth
+23.0%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Modesto (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,790 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,410 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,000 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,000 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,500 | Actual |
| 2024 | $109,770 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,230 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,236 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,334 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Modesto metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 15.9% from $84,790 (2019) to $98,230 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,334 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,544 (23.05%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Modesto 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) | $80,624 – $83,571 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,571 – $101,236 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,236 – $101,998 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,998 – $127,475 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Modesto
With approximately 960 police officers currently employed in Modesto, the local job market is robust, offering opportunities that can lead to higher salaries depending on the agency. The cost of living index stands at 104.108, indicating a cost environment slightly above the national average, which can impact take-home pay. Among the different types of law enforcement entities, municipal police departments typically provide the most competitive salaries, followed by county sheriff's offices and then state police, while federal positions, such as those with the FBI or DEA, usually command the highest pay but are less accessible. Factors influencing salary disparities include agency type, overtime structures based on union agreements, shift differentials, and special assignments. For aspiring officers, maximizing salary may involve seeking advanced training, pursuing educational incentives, and engaging with roles in specialized units, thus enhancing both immediate pay potential and longer-term pension benefits.
More salary data for Modesto, 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 $98,230 for police officersin the Modesto 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