Police Officer Salary in Redwood City, CA: $108,138 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Redwood City, CA earns a median $108,138/year (≈ $51.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Redwood City's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $95,613 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Redwood City, a police officer earns a median annual salary of $108,138, which is significantly higher than the national median of $78,542, showcasing the rewarding nature of the career in this particular area. The salary range for officers spans from $69,954 at the 10th percentile to $163,306 at the 90th percentile, providing a robust framework for diverse earnings based on experience, responsibilities, and roles within various departments. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data and consider regional price variations. This dynamic salary structure reflects Redwood City's competitive job market for law enforcement professionals, which is crucial as the region continues to evolve in terms of public safety demands and community expectations.
About the Redwood City Market
Salary estimated from California average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,954 | $33.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,941 | $39.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $108,138 | $51.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $138,417 | $66.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $163,306 | $78.51 |
Median Salary Position
37.68% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Redwood City
In Redwood City, CA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $93,352 (2026 est.). At $108,138, the local median is 37.68% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Redwood City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Redwood City Police Officer Pay Compares
Redwood City median: $108,138/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Redwood City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $110,570 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +37.68% more |
Police Officers in Redwood City, CA earn a median of $108,138 per year (2026 est.), which is 37.68% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 2.20% below the California state average of $110,570.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Redwood City has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Redwood City, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $108,138 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $95,613 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,946
2025 BLS Actual
$104,927
2026 Current Est.
$108,138
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Redwood City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,946 | Actual |
| 2020 | $90,236 | Actual |
| 2021 | $88,956 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,581 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,516 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $104,927 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $108,138 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,447 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Redwood City metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $86,946 (2019) to $104,927 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,447 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,501 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Redwood City 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) | $69,954 – $82,941 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,941 – $108,138 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $108,138 – $138,417 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $138,417 – $163,306 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Redwood City
Within Redwood City, the local job market supports a modest number of police officers, with only 13 currently employed. However, the cost of living index at 113.1 indicates a higher-than-average expense for housing and services, which can impact the take-home purchasing power of officers in the area. Municipal police departments generally lead in salary offerings among local employers, followed by potential opportunities in county and federal law enforcement agencies. The wide salary spread from lower to higher-tier compensation can be influenced by multiple factors, such as union contract structures, overtime opportunities, and educational incentives. Maximizing pay in Redwood City may involve pursuing specialized training like POST certifications or obtaining higher educational qualifications to unlock additional bonuses. Understanding the specific dynamics of local agencies and leveraging union benefits can further enhance financial outcomes for officers in this competitive environment.
More salary data for Redwood City, 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 $104,927 for police officersin the Redwood City 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 Redwood City 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