What Costa Mesa PD pays
How we get pay dataTop of scale
$131,940
Posting · verified Oct 15, 2026Lateral start
—
Not publishedStarting pay has changed 1 time since we began tracking it in Oct 1, 2026: $86,364 (Oct 1, 2026) → $84,648 (Oct 5, 2026).
Rank 56 of 56 Los Angeles Area departments with published starting pay. Compare all
Hiring bonus
$25,000 for certified laterals, $7,500 upon hire, $7,500 upon successful completion of the Field Training program, and $10,000 upon completion of probation.
$25,000, one-time signing bonus for qualified Lateral Police OfficersJob posting · verified Oct 15, 2026 · sourceOpen jobs at Costa Mesa PD
Police Recruit
Costa Mesa, CAContinuous$10,000 bonus$86,364startingPolice Reserve Officer (Level I)
Costa Mesa, CAOpen$42.50/hrstartingPolice Officer (Experienced & Academy Graduates)
Costa Mesa, CAOpen$25,000 bonus$100,440startingPolice Cadet
Costa Mesa, CAContinuous$20.00/hrstartingPolice Officer (Experienced/Academy Graduate)
Costa Mesa, CAContinuous$25,000 bonus$98,448starting
Requirements
From the department's postings- EducationHigh school or GED
- Certification required to applyYes
- Takes out-of-state lateralsYes
- Lateral termsOut-of-State applicants: California POST Basic Course Waiver.
- Also offeredUp to 80 hours of sick leave upon hire · Reduced ten (10) month probationary period
- Minimum age21
- Tattoo policyTattoos shall not be visible while on duty
How Costa Mesa PD compares nearby
All 142 Los Angeles Area agencies3 nearby departments start higher than Costa Mesa PD.
| Department | Status | Starting pay | vs Costa Mesa | Bonus | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Costa Mesa PD | Hiring | $41,600 | — | $25,000 | |
| Anaheim PD | Not posting | Not published | — | None | |
| Cypress PD | Hiring | $62,858 | +$21,258 | None | |
| Garden Grove PD | Not posting | Not published | — | None | |
| Huntington Beach PD | Hiring | $68,832 | +$27,232 | None | |
| Irvine PD | Hiring | $78,624 | +$37,024 | None |
CopJobs is not affiliated with Costa Mesa Police Department. Figures come from public postings; each shows its source and the date we read it. Work at Costa Mesa PD? Update this page free.