Police Officer Salary in Westminster, CA: $111,745 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Westminster, CA earns a median $111,745/year (≈ $53.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Westminster's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $98,802 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officers in Westminster, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $111,745, which significantly surpasses the national median for law enforcement at $78,542. The salary range for police officer pay in Westminster, CA, spans from $68,898 at the 10th percentile to $169,379 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse compensation structures influenced by various factors. These figures, derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional economic considerations, indicate Westminster's competitive position in terms of officer salaries. The city's employment landscape, shaped by its municipal staffing and the structural choices within law enforcement, contributes to a robust compensation framework aimed at attracting and retaining skilled officers.
About the Westminster Market
Salary estimated from California average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,898 | $33.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,869 | $41.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $111,745 | $53.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $143,034 | $68.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $169,379 | $81.43 |
Median Salary Position
42.27% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Westminster
In Westminster, CA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $100,481 (2026 est.). At $111,745, the local median is 42.27% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Westminster: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Westminster Police Officer Pay Compares
Westminster median: $111,745/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Westminster Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $110,529 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +42.27% more |
Police Officers in Westminster, CA earn a median of $111,745 per year (2026 est.), which is 42.27% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.10% above the California state average of $110,529.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Westminster has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Westminster, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $111,745 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $98,802 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$89,846
2025 BLS Actual
$108,427
2026 Current Est.
$111,745
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Westminster (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $89,846 | Actual |
| 2020 | $93,246 | Actual |
| 2021 | $91,923 | Actual |
| 2022 | $93,602 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,836 | Actual |
| 2024 | $123,466 | Actual |
| 2025 | $108,427 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $111,745 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $115,164 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Westminster metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $89,846 (2019) to $108,427 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $115,164 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,318 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Westminster 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) | $68,898 – $85,869 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,869 – $111,745 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $111,745 – $143,034 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $143,034 – $169,379 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Westminster
The local job market for police officers in Westminster is relatively strong, with 21 officers currently employed in the area. However, the cost of living index is slightly elevated at 113.1, which impacts the purchasing power of take-home salaries. Among employers, municipal police departments often present the most substantial pay options, yet federal agencies like the FBI may offer higher base salaries coupled with overtime structures that also impact long-term earnings. The disparity in compensation is driven by agency type, experience, educational incentives, and the nature of assignments, such as SWAT or detective work. Officers can enhance their pay potential by seeking additional certifications, overtime opportunities, and pursuing roles within specialized units. Maximizing compensation in Westminster also involves understanding the complexities of pension benefits, which can provide substantial returns depending on the multiplier formula and an officer's years of service.
More salary data for Westminster, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Westminster, CA in 2026?
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Can police officers make $100K in Westminster?
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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 $108,427 for police officersin the Westminster 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 Westminster 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