Starting salary is 9th highest of 11. La Mesa Police is highest at $112,153. Top salary is 11th highest of 11. La Mesa Police is highest at $143,145. Source: FY2027 adopted budget.
pay in the academy officer or deputy range, starting salary to top salary
The median household in San Diego earns $108,077 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.
Not published
Sources, checked Nov 13, 2026: Recruiting page · Recruit posting · FY2027 budget · Budget analyst report · Written test page · Physical test page · California DOJ stop data, 2024
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Photo: Downtown San Diego skyline. St Diego Skyline Panorama 2013.jpg by Tuxyso, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and tinted.