La Mesa Police salary

Pay from the academy to top salary

What officers were actually paid in 2024

44 officers on the payroll for the full year. Overtime added 32% 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 La Mesa Police pay compares

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

Full pay ranking

Starting salary is 118% of the local household income

The median household in La Mesa earns $95,028 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

• Annual figures are from the job postings and match the salary schedule hourly rates times 2080.
• Trainee pay is a single step of $51.23 per hour, set 5% below the lowest Police Officer step.
• Police Officer has six steps, from $53.92 to $68.82 per hour.
• The current rates include a 4.0% raise for Police Officer that took effect in July 2026.
• The police union contract runs through June 30, 2027. No later raises are published.
• Intermediate POST certificate adds 5% of top step pay. Advanced POST certificate adds 10%.
• Bilingual pay is $60 per month.
• Graveyard shift differential is 2% of base salary.
• Longevity pay starts at $30 per month after 5 years of service.
• Trainees are enrolled in CalPERS as miscellaneous, non-safety members while in the academy.
• Sworn officers hired on or after January 1, 2013 get the CalPERS 2.7% at 57 formula.
• The patrol shift schedule is not published. The contract references 5-day, 9/80, 4/10 and 3/12 schedules.

Hiring or lateral bonus

Up to $15,000 for lateral candidates only. $2,000 on completing the hiring process and $3,000 on completing field training. Then $5,000 after 2 years with a Basic POST certificate at hire, or $10,000 with an Intermediate or Advanced certificate. No bonus is published for trainees.