Police Officer Salary in Union City, CA: $110,800 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Union City, CA earns a median $110,800/year (≈ $53.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Union City's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $97,966 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officers in Union City, CA, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $110,800, which is significantly above the national average of $78,542, representing a 41.07% premium. The range of salaries for officers here varies widely, from $67,237 at the lower end to $161,990 for those in the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost of living factors, highlight the financial incentive of overtime work, particularly related to mandatory court appearances and special assignments. Such overtime opportunities can effectively enhance the take-home pay of officers in this community, making the compensation notably appealing compared to other regions.
About the Union City Market
Salary estimated from California average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,237 | $32.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,216 | $42.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $110,800 | $53.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $139,159 | $66.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $161,990 | $77.88 |
Median Salary Position
41.07% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Union City
In Union City, CA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $94,753 (2026 est.). At $110,800, the local median is 41.07% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Union City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Union City Police Officer Pay Compares
Union City median: $110,800/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Union City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $110,579 | +0.20% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +41.07% more |
Police Officers in Union City, CA earn a median of $110,800 per year (2026 est.), which is 41.07% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 0.20% above the California state average of $110,579.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Union City has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Union City, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $110,800 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $97,966 — 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
$89,086
2025 BLS Actual
$107,510
2026 Current Est.
$110,800
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Union City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $89,086 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,458 | Actual |
| 2021 | $91,146 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,810 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,966 | Actual |
| 2024 | $122,421 | Actual |
| 2025 | $107,510 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $110,800 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $114,190 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Union City metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $89,086 (2019) to $107,510 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $114,190 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,104 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Union 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) | $67,237 – $88,216 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,216 – $110,800 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $110,800 – $139,159 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $139,159 – $161,990 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Union City
With only 11 police officers currently employed in Union City, the local job market reflects a competitive structure, influenced heavily by factors like agency type and overtime policies. The cost of living index stands at 113.1, indicating that although salaries are higher, the purchasing power may not stretch as far as it would in less expensive areas. The municipal police department generally provides the highest salaries in the region, with competitive benefits that may include educational incentives and shift differentials. Pay discrepancies between officers can arise from various elements, including union contract stipulations for overtime and special unit assignments such as SWAT or detective roles. Those looking to maximize their police officer pay in Union City, CA, should consider pursuing specialized certifications, engaging in overtime opportunities, and aiming for assignments with additional stipends to enhance their overall compensation package.
More salary data for Union City, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Union City, CA in 2026?
Is Union City, CA a good place to work as a police officer?
Can police officers make $100K in Union City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted police officer salary in Union City?
How much does a police officer make per hour in Union City?
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 $107,510 for police officersin the Union 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 Union 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