Police Officer Salary

Benbrook vs Houston: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Benbrook, TX and Houston, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Benbrook, TX
$72,879
$35.04/hr
Houston, TX
$76,852
$36.95/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBenbrook, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$72,879$76,852
Hourly Rate$35.04$36.95
Entry Level (P10)$46,612$60,919
25th Percentile$56,665$63,114
75th Percentile$89,992$85,004
Top Earner (P90)$106,525$96,670
Total Employed616,250
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Benbrook ($72,879) and Houston ($76,852) police officer salaries.BenbrookHoustonMedian Salary$72,879$76,852Entry Level (P10)$46,612$60,919Top Earner (P90)$106,525$96,670US Median $78,542

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Benbrook.

The salary gap between Benbrook and Houston is $3,973 (5.45%). Houston's median is -2.15% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Benbrook spans $59,913,Houston spans $35,751. Benbrook has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Benbrook
P10 (Entry)$46,612
P25$56,665
Median$72,879
P75$89,992
P90 (Top)$106,525
Houston
P10 (Entry)$60,919
P25$63,114
Median$76,852
P75$85,004
P90 (Top)$96,670

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($77,920 effective) pays 2.64% more than Benbrook ($75,916 effective).

Benbrook
Nominal: $72,879
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $75,916
Houston
Nominal: $76,852
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $77,920

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Benbrook if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($106,525)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($76,852/year)
  • Larger job market (16,250 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,920)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Benbrook grew 7.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 15.4% growth in Houston over the same period.

Benbrook, TX

+7.9%

$65,547 (2024) → $70,715 (2025)

Houston, TX

+15.4%

$64,620 (2019) → $74,570 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Benbrook or Houston?

Houston has a higher median police officer salary at $76,852/year, compared to Benbrook at $72,879/year — a difference of $3,973 (5.45%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Benbrook and Houston?

Benbrook police officers earn $35.04/hr while Houston hygienists earn $36.95/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Benbrook to Houston as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Benbrook and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Benbrook = $75,916, Houston = $77,920), job availability (6 vs 16,250 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Benbrook vs Houston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $46,612 in Benbrook and $60,919 in Houston. The Houston area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in law enforcement. They specialize in community policing strategies. Jordan works with a municipal police department.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.06% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice, a licensed police officer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov