State comparison · 2025
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary: California vs Montana
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in California earn a median of $118,880. In Montana, $70,050. After cost-of-living, the gap is 45% — not 69.7%.
Nominal pay gap
+69.7%
California vs Montana
COL-adjusted gap
+45%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
California
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
- Median
- $118,880
- p25
- $97,280
- p75
- $126,780
- p10
- $76,300
- p90
- $153,190
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 110.7
Montana
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
- Median
- $70,050
- p25
- $59,860
- p75
- $77,500
- p10
- $55,330
- p90
- $84,150
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 94.6
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.