State comparison · 2025
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary: California vs New Mexico
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in California earn a median of $118,880. In New Mexico, $69,180. After cost-of-living, the gap is 43.1% — not 71.8%.
Nominal pay gap
+71.8%
California vs New Mexico
COL-adjusted gap
+43.1%
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
New Mexico
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
- Median
- $69,180
- p25
- $58,870
- p75
- $73,430
- p10
- $48,400
- p90
- $85,740
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 92.2
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.