THE POLICE INDEXStop data 2024 · Pay 2025 · Hiring checked daily
Police ranks and what each is paid in California, 2025
Officer, sergeant, lieutenant, captain: what each rank was actually paid in 2025, overtime included, at California police and sheriff departments. Figures are what each employer reported to the State Controller.
Sergeant, median total pay at the middle department
$215,648
Across 280 departments with three or more sergeants paid for the full year. Regular pay without overtime at the middle department: $147,302. Highest: Santa Monica Police, $357,773.
Pay by rank at the middle department
Officer or deputy$156,895
Sergeant$215,648
Lieutenant$245,229
Captain$277,822
Median total pay with overtime. For each rank, the department in the middle of the list, so half of departments paid that rank this much or more. Ranks above captain are not grouped here.