May 1, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Police Department officers gather outside of a pro-Palestinian encampment at the campus of UCLA. Violence broke out early in the morning at the encampment, hours after the university declared that the camp “is unlawful and violates university policy.”. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY
Los Angles, California – Los Angeles has once again been named the top city in the country to be a police officer, according to WalletHub’s newly released 2025 report on the “Best and Worst Cities to Be a Police Officer.” For the second year in a row, California ranked #1 overall among all 50 states and Washington D.C., cementing its position as the most favorable state for a law enforcement career.
The report, which compared police-friendliness across 30 key indicators, evaluated states on factors such as law enforcement salaries, job hazards, officer fatalities, and police-protection spending. Among these, officer pay and mandatory training hours were given the greatest weight. WalletHub concluded that California’s robust investment in public safety, combined with rigorous training standards and strong compensation, make it the best state for current and aspiring officers.
In particular, the average starting salary for police officers in California exceeds $5,600 per month, one of the highest in the country. The median annual wage comes in at nearly $85,600—third highest nationwide when adjusted for the cost of living. The state also mandates 664 hours of basic training and 560 hours of field training, placing it among the most demanding states in terms of law enforcement preparation.
The report highlighted California’s emphasis on de-escalation tactics, which have been credited with reducing the risks of confrontations and minimizing the use of lethal force. Additionally, California maintains a statewide Blue Alert system to help quickly apprehend suspects who threaten or harm law enforcement personnel.
Despite the high marks, some law enforcement unions in California pushed back on the ranking last year. They cited challenges such as severe staffing shortages in major cities, long response times, and increasing reliance on mandatory overtime as ongoing issues that continue to affect daily operations for officers.
Still, WalletHub’s report found California outperforming other top-ranking states like Connecticut and Illinois. Connecticut, ranked second, offers the most extensive training in the U.S., while Illinois topped the nation in median annual wages for patrol officers, at over $101,700 when adjusted.
With the film industry, tech sector, and now law enforcement ranking high nationally, California continues to assert itself as a destination for a wide range of careers. For those entering the field of policing, the Golden State may offer one of the most comprehensive—and well-compensated—professional environments in the country.
