Carlsbad Police salary

Pay from the academy to top salary

What officers were actually paid in 2024

90 officers on the payroll for the full year. Overtime added 20% to median base pay.

From public payroll records published by Transparent California. Officer ranks only, not supervisors. Medians, so half earned more and half less.

How Carlsbad Police pay compares

pay in the academy officer or deputy range, starting salary to top salary

Full pay ranking

Starting salary is 76% of the local household income

The median household in Carlsbad earns $142,748 a year.

One officer's starting base pay against the income of a whole household. A rough guide to how far the pay goes where you work. Income: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020 to 2024 five-year estimates, table B19013.

Extra pay and notes

• Figures are hourly rates on the CPOA salary schedule effective Jan 1, 2026, multiplied by 2,080 and rounded.
• Recruit range is steps 1 to 5 of Range 90. Officer range is steps 1 to 5 of Range 36.
• The recruiting site quotes $42.60 per hour for recruits in the academy, which matches step 1 of the July 2025 schedule.
• The schedule shows the next increases on Jan 1, 2027 and July 1, 2027. The recruiting site lists them as 4.5% and 3%.
• Officers reach top step in five years, per the recruiting site.
• POST certificate pay is 3% basic, 5% intermediate and 7% advanced.
• Other pays: 7.5% field training officer while training, 2% SWAT, 3% shift differential, $1,300 a year bilingual.
• Longevity pay is 3% at 8 years of sworn service and 5% at 12 years. Prior agency service counts.
• Retirement is CalPERS 2.7% at 57 for new members, with a 14% employee contribution.
• Sworn officers get a take-home vehicle after completing field training.
• Shift schedule is not published.

Hiring or lateral bonus

Not published