Police Officer Salary in Sacramento, CA: $114,871 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Sacramento, CA earns a median $114,871/year (≈ $55.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Sacramento's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 106.7), that paycheck buys what $107,688 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for a police officer in Sacramento, California is set at $114,871, reflecting a robust compensation structure that notably exceeds the national median of $78,542 by approximately 46.25%. Salaries for local police officers range significantly, with the lowest earners starting at $81,572, while top earners can command as much as $164,298. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlighting Sacramento's competitive position in the labor market among various law enforcement agencies. The structural choice between federal, state, and municipal roles in law enforcement influences pay scales, with federal agencies often offering higher compensation compared to their municipal or state counterparts.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,572 | $39.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,855 | $47.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $114,871 | $55.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $125,939 | $60.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $164,298 | $79.00 |
Median Salary Position
46.25% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sacramento
In Sacramento, CA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $82,726 (2026 est.). At $114,871, the local median is 46.25% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sacramento: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sacramento Police Officer Pay Compares
Sacramento median: $114,871/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sacramento Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $110,559 | +3.90% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +46.25% more |
Police Officers in Sacramento, CA earn a median of $114,871 per year (2026 est.), which is 46.25% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 3.90% above the California state average of $110,559.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sacramento has a cost of living 6.67% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sacramento, CA has a cost-of-living index of 106.67 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $114,871 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $107,688 — a 6.25% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$97,790
2025 BLS Actual
$111,460
2026 Current Est.
$114,871
2019–2027 Growth
+21.1%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Sacramento (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $97,790 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,270 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,560 | Actual |
| 2022 | $103,030 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,230 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,630 | Actual |
| 2025 | $111,460 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $114,871 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $118,386 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sacramento metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 14.0% from $97,790 (2019) to $111,460 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $118,386 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,596 (21.06%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sacramento 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) | $81,572 – $98,855 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,855 – $114,871 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $114,871 – $125,939 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $125,939 – $164,298 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Sacramento
Sacramento’s labor market currently employs around 5,420 police officers, creating a steady demand for qualified professionals in law enforcement. With a cost of living index of 106.67, officers' take-home pay may be somewhat affected, emphasizing the need for strategic financial planning in a higher-than-average living cost environment. Among the various employers, federal law enforcement agencies typically provide the highest salaries, followed by state police and urban municipal departments, while rural forces generally offer lower wages. The variation in pay can be driven by factors such as shift differentials, special unit assignments, union benefits, and educational incentives. For officers aiming to maximize their earnings in Sacramento, pursuing further education, obtaining specialized training, and considering roles in higher-paying agencies are practical strategies that can enhance their overall compensation package.
More salary data for Sacramento, 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 $111,460 for police officersin the Sacramento 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