Careers · Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers · California

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in California

Police and sheriff's patrol officers enforce laws and maintain public order in their assigned areas. They patrol neighborhoods and highways, respond to calls, investigate accidents, direct traffic, and apprehend suspects In California the median pay is $118,880 a year, 56% above the national median of $76,210.

$118,880median pay in California, per year

$97,280–$126,780middle half earn

65,940employed in California

$76,210U.S. median, for comparison

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Who is hiring in California

1open role like this on employer career sites, 0 in California or remote

1employer hiring

1posted in the last 7 days

CTwhere most openings are

Openings in California and remote

Police Officer · Commander, Navy Installations Command · El Centro, California · $52938–$76476
POLICE OFFICER (FIELD TRAINING OFFICER) · U.S. Marine Corps · San Diego, California · $59055–$81915
POLICE OFFICER (MILITARY WORKING DOG HANDLER) · U.S. Marine Corps · San Diego, California · $59055–$81915
Police Officer · Veterans Health Administration · Long Beach, California · $83038–$85223
SUPERVISORY POLICE OFFICER (WATCH COMMANDER) · U.S. Marine Corps · Bridgeport, California · $67970–$88356
Lead Police Officer · Army Tank-Automotive and Armament Command (TACOM) · Herlong Sierra Ordnance Depot, California · $55882–$72644
Police Officer (Military Ocean Terminal) · ARMY TRANSPORTATION · Concord, California · $72418–$94146
Supervisory Police Officer · Army Tank-Automotive and Armament Command (TACOM) · Herlong Sierra Ordnance Depot, California · $61722–$80243

Openings are read from employers’ own career pages and public job boards and change daily. Search all openings (free account) to filter by distance, pay and how well you qualify.

What it takes

Preparation: Medium preparation (vocational training, an associate degree, or related experience).

Skills that matter most

Active ListeningSocial PerceptivenessSpeakingCritical ThinkingActive LearningReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision MakingCoordination

Knowledge areas

Public Safety and SecurityLaw and GovernmentCustomer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguagePsychologyEducation and Training

Full profile, interests that fit, certifications and training: Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers.

Licenses and training in California

Local training programs Certifications Licenses in your state Apprenticeships

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers pay in other states

Washington · $102,080 Illinois · $100,520 Alaska · $99,130 Colorado · $97,350 Delaware · $92,970 New York · $92,790 New Jersey · $92,610 District of Columbia · $88,650 Oregon · $88,140 Pennsylvania · $85,470

Related occupations

Customs and Border Protection Officers Transit and Railroad Police Bailiffs Correctional Officers and Jailers Detectives and Criminal Investigators Police Identification and Records Officers Intelligence Analysts Fish and Game Wardens

Are you suited for this?
Four short assessments and your background, scored against police and sheriff's patrol officers and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.

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O*NET-SOC 33-3051.00. Pay: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, California, annual.