Orange County Sheriff's Department Salary

As of August 2026, the average annual salary for employees at Orange County Sheriff's Department in the United States is $114,636. This translates to an approximate hourly wage of $55. Salaries at Orange County Sheriff's Department typically range from $100,139 to $131,341 annually, reflecting the diverse roles and experience levels within the company.

How Much Does Orange County Sheriff's Department Pay for Different Roles?

Explore detailed salary information for specific jobs at Orange County Sheriff's Department. Based on our data, the highest paying job is the Executive Director, with an annual salary of $209,471. The table below outlines the annual salary ranges for most popular roles within the company.
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Current Job Openings at Orange County Sheriff's Department

Ready for your next career move? Explore current job openings at Orange County Sheriff's Department. Use the search tool below to find available positions by title and location and apply directly to start your career.

Is Orange County Sheriff's Department’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does Orange County Sheriff's Department's compensation stack up against the industry and its key competitors? Our salary benchmarking analysis provides a clear comparison. The chart below visualizes this comparison alongside select peer companies.
Competitor / Benchmark Avg. Salary Variance Primary Market Influence Factor & Explanation
St Paul Police Department $99,246
-13.4%
Reflects market rates for standard general contracting, differing from specialized roles.
Alliance Police Department $93,265
-18.6%
Alliance Police Department may offer non-monetary perks in lieu of competitive base salaries.
Tucson Police $96,345
-16.0%
Normalized for lower cost-of-living zones where Tucson Police primarily operates.
Charter Oak High School $113,528
-1.0%
Confirms Charter Oak High School is a direct competitor vying for the exact same talent pool.
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit Industry $115,341
+0.6%
Pay variances are driven by organizational scale, specialized skill requirements, or geographic cost-of-living factors.
Need More Granular Data? The analysis above provides a high-level market overview. To benchmark specific job codes, adjust for real-time cost-of-living changes, or access verified HR-reported datasets, upgrade to Salary.com for Business. Precision matters when building your compensation strategy.

Employee Reviews: Working at Orange County Sheriff's Department

Considering a career at Orange County Sheriff's Department? Explore authentic employee reviews to learn about the work environment, career growth opportunities, pay transparency and benefits. These first-hand insights can help you set realistic compensation expectations and make informed career decisions.
What stands out most is the shared passion for education - from the maintenance staff to the superintendent, everyone believes in our mission. Training is available but limited. The benefits are some of the best around, especially for families. The leadership fosters an environment of transparency, respect, and open communication.
Coworkers are respectful, and management is supportive within defined limits. This job offers security and purpose, but the culture leans heavily bureaucratic. employees, operations run smoothly while still valuing individual contributions. If you’re content with routine and job security, you’ll do fine. While the pace is steady, it allows time to focus on quality work. Great for those who value s...
Leadership listens but acts take time. For an organization of this scale, their efforts to create an environment where all employees feel valued and represented are significant. This openness builds trust and encourages a more informed and engaged workforce across all departments.

Orange County Sheriff's Department Overview

Website
www.ocsd.org
Founded In
1889
Employees
1,000 - 3,000 employees
Industry
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
Headquarter Address
320 N Flower St Santa Ana California CA 92703
Revenue
$50 Million - $200 Million
Phone Number
+1 9497706011
Social Media
About Orange County Sheriff's Department
The Orange County Sheriffs Department is among the largest in the nation, providing exemplary law enforcement services focused on a collaborative, dedicated and innovative approach to public safety.

What Benefits Does Orange County Sheriff's Department Offer Beyond Salary?

A competitive compensation package is more than just a salary. Orange County Sheriff's Department offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial future, and overall well-being. Below are the most common key benefits:
Social Security
401(K)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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What Is the Cost of Living Near Santa Ana?

Understanding the cost of living near Santa Ana is key to truly evaluating a salary offer or your current compensation at Orange County Sheriff's Department.
Santa Ana's Cost of Living Index is approximately 149.7 (49.7% more expensive than US average; 7.1% more than CA average). Orange County seat, high housing costs, though often slightly more affordable than neighboring Irvine or coastal OC cities. When planning your budget based on a salary from Orange County Sheriff's Department, consider these typical monthly expenses:
Expense Category Estimated Monthly Cost Key Considerations / Notes
Housing (1-BR Apt Rent) $2,000 - $2,900+ A significant portion of Orange County Sheriff's Department salary. Location choices impact this heavily.
Utilities (Basic) $150 - $260 Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc.
Public Transportation $69 (OCTA monthly pass) Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly.
Groceries (Single Person) $450 - $670 Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores.
Personal & Leisure $400 - $750+ Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable.
Healthcare (Individual) $390 - $740+ Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution.
Subtotal (Excluding Taxes) $3,459 - $5,329+ This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay.

FAQs of Orange County Sheriff's Department

1. How much does Orange County Sheriff's Department in the United States pay?

Orange County Sheriff's Department pays its employees an average of $114,636 per year. The average salary at Orange County Sheriff's Department range from $100,139 to $131,341 per year. It's important to remember that these are overall averages, actual salaries vary significantly based on specific job titles, years of experience, skills and location.

2. Do Orange County Sheriff's Department employees get a higher salary than its peer company?

The salary at Orange County Sheriff's Department is higher than its peer company. The average annual salary at Orange County Sheriff's Department is $114,636, or an hourly wage of $55, in comparison to St Paul Police Department which pays $99,246 per year or $48 per hour.

3. What are the highest paying jobs at Orange County Sheriff's Department?

The higher-paying job at Orange County Sheriff's Department, according to our data, include Executive Director (avg. $209,471 per year), Captain (avg. $167,885 per year), and Manager, Applications (avg. $160,261 per year). Pay for these roles reflects significant responsibility, specialized skills and experience.

4. How much does salary increase with years of experience at Orange County Sheriff's Department?

Salary progression with years of experience at Orange County Sheriff's Department is typical. Generally, as employees gain more relevant experience, develop more skills, and take on greater responsibilities, their earning potential increases. For example, a role with 5-7 years of experience will usually pay more than the same role requiring 0-2 years.

5. Do salaries at Orange County Sheriff's Department vary by office location?

Yes, it's very likely that salaries at Orange County Sheriff's Department vary by office location. Companies often adjust pay based on local market rates, cost of living, and talent competition in different geographic areas. For instance, a role in a high-cost city like New York City may offer a higher nominal salary than the same role in a lower-cost city like Omaha, NE. Our Cost of Living Insights for Santa Ana section provides more context.

6. Does Orange County Sheriff's Department offer good benefits?

Orange County Sheriff's Department typically offers a comprehensive benefits package that adds significant value to an employee's total compensation. Common benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan often with a company match, paid time off. For example, a strong 401(k) match or excellent, low-cost health insurance can be worth thousands of dollars annually, effectively increasing your overall earnings beyond your base salary. For a more detailed list of benefits, please see our "Employee Benefits at Orange County Sheriff's Department" section on this page.