Police Officer salary in California
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A Police Officer in California earns a median of $118,880 a year ($57.15/hour equivalent), 56.0% above the national median of $76,210. California ranks #1 of 51 states. About 65,940 people do this job in California.
Take-home pay in California
At the California median, a single filer keeps about $84,106 a year after federal, FICA and California taxes — $3,235 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the California paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $4,572.31
- Federal income tax
- −$666.29
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$283.48
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$66.30
- California income tax
- −$261.95
- CA SDI
- −$59.44
- Take-home pay
- $3,234.84
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $118,880
- Federal
- $17,324
- FICA
- $9,094
- State + local
- $8,356
- Net
- $84,106
- Marginal federal rate
- 22.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 9.3%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How California compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | California | $118,880 |
| #2 | Washington | $102,080 |
| #3 | Illinois | $100,520 |
| #4 | Alaska | $99,130 |
| #5 | Colorado | $97,350 |
| #49 | Louisiana | $48,380 |
| #50 | Arkansas | $47,670 |
| #51 | Mississippi | $46,140 |
See the national Police Officer salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (SOC 33-3051), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Police Officer make in California?
The median salary is $118,880 a year and the average is $112,980 (BLS May 2025).
Is California a good state for police and sheriff's patrol officers?
California ranks #1 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 56% above the national median of $76,210.
What is $118,880 after taxes in California?
About $84,106 a year ($3,235 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.