SOC 33-3051 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers — San Francisco
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in San Francisco, CA is $132,000 per year, well above the national median of $76,210.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in San Francisco, CA is $132,000 per year, well above the national median of $76,210. The gap of 73.2% is among the widest recorded for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $124,970 and $141,810. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $95,390 and the ninetieth at $156,690.
The area has 7,990 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 3.4 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, San Jose records the highest median at $136,140. Of the 688 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 133rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $95,390 | +25.2% |
| 25th | $124,970 | +64.0% |
| Median (50th) | $132,000 | +73.2% |
| 75th | $141,810 | +86.1% |
| 90th | $156,690 | +105.6% |
| Mean | $130,190 | +70.8% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose | $136,140 | 2,590 | |
| 2 | Vallejo | $129,900 | 690 | |
| 3 | Napa | $127,310 | 300 | |
| 4 | Santa Rosa | $125,910 | 590 | |
| 5 | Santa Cruz | $122,970 | 400 | |
| 6 | Los Angeles | $121,980 | 24,720 | |
| 7 | Santa Maria | $120,900 | 730 | |
| 8 | Oxnard | $119,640 | 1,330 | |
| 9 | Salinas | $118,220 | 930 | |
| 10 | Sacramento | $111,460 | 5,420 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in San Francisco run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $132,000 buys what $119,241 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 56.5% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$132,000as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$119,241US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $132,000 a year, 73.2% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $95,390 to $156,690 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 7,990 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Jose, at $136,140.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in San Francisco, CA?
The median annual wage is $132,000, or $63.46 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $76,210, so pay in San Francisco, CA is 73.2% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in San Francisco, CA earns more than $156,690 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $95,390 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in San Jose, at $136,140 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 7,990 jobs in this occupation in San Francisco, CA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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