Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $123,140 +61.4% vs national
Median hourly $59.20
10th percentile $80,350
90th percentile $148,990
Employed locally 450
National median $76,290

Compare Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Santa Cruz, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $80,350
    25th
    $99,910
    50th (median)
    $123,140
    75th
    $124,420
    90th
    $148,990

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary vs area income 113% Median Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary is 13% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $150,650
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $133,190
    Carson City, NV $131,210
    Napa, CA $128,980
    Vallejo, CA $128,470
    Salinas, CA $122,290

    Nearby metros — Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $150,650
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $133,190
    Carson City, NV $131,210
    Napa, CA $128,980
    Vallejo, CA $128,470
    Salinas, CA $122,290

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $46,030
    Firefighters $74,130
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $37,520
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $81,910
    Protective Service Workers, All Other $38,910
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $158,430

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Santa Cruz, CA is $59.20, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $73.24 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salaries?

    The median Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 61.4% above the national median of $76,290. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (10th percentile) earn around $80,350 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $99,910.