How to become a state trooper in California
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) hires state troopers under the title Officer, California Highway Patrol (class 8397). New state troopers start at $116,040 a year, rising to $143,940. You must be at least 21.
Pay
| Starting salary | $116,040 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $143,940 |
CalHR pay scale (State Controller data, beta), class 8397 Range A: $9,670 to $11,995 per month (x 12 = $116,040 to $143,940). Ranges B ($10,115-$12,537) and C ($11,308-$14,024) apply under alternate range criteria. CHP advertises a $128,000 starting salary, which matches Range A minimum plus the 3.5% pre/post-shift stipend, 6.25% 8.5-hour-workday pay and $65/month physical performance pay. Cadets earn $6,902-$8,847/month during the academy with free room and board. Senior officer pay adds 2%-8% after 18-25 years.
Source:[eservices.calhr.ca.gov]
Pay for this work across California
Federal survey figures for police and sheriff's patrol officers in California, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from the state's own pay scale above.
| People in this work | 65,940 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $76,300 |
| Median pay | $118,880 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $153,190 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Minimum age: 21
- Education: High school diploma, California High School Proficiency Exam, GED, or a two-year or higher college degree
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen at appointment (Vehicle Code 2267); non-citizens may test but must show proof of citizenship before appointment
- Age 20 to 35 to take the exam (as of the exam close date); minimum age 21 for appointment
- Valid California Class C driver license before appointment
- No felony convictions (Gov. Code 1029)
- Vision: if glasses or hard lenses are worn, uncorrected no worse than 20/40 each eye, corrected to 20/20; normal color vision (Farnsworth D-15)
- Willing to work anywhere in the state
Source:[recruitment.chp.ca.gov]
Hiring process
- Meet minimum requirements
- Apply for examination at recruitment.chp.ca.gov
- Physical Abilities Test (PAT) and written exam (PELLET B)
- Background investigation (including truth verification)
- Medical and psychological evaluation
- CHP Academy
Source:[chp.ca.gov]
Entrance exam
POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLET B). Written test weighted 100%; minimum 70% to be placed on the eligible list; one POST entry-level exam per 30 days. PAT is pass/fail. Eligibility lasts 24 months.[recruitment.chp.ca.gov]
Academy
26 weeks, paid. 26-week live-in CHP Academy in West Sacramento (an older exam bulletin says 28 weeks). Cadets are paid $6,902-$8,847/month plus overtime, with free room and board; promoted to Officer at graduation, then field training.[chpmadeformore.com]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: CalPERS, State Patrol member category (PEPRA, new members on or after Jan. 1, 2013)
- Benefit formula: 2.7% at age 57 (2.0% at age 50) x years of service x final compensation (36-month average)
- When you can retire: Minimum age 50; 2.7% factor reached at age 57
Pensionable salary capped at $146,042 with Social Security / $175,250 without (adjusts with inflation); CHP page does not say which cap applies to officers.
Source:[chp.ca.gov]