Police Officer Salary

Carrollton vs Dallas: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

Carrollton, TX
$77,791
$37.40/hr
Dallas, TX
$95,753
$46.04/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCarrollton, TXDallas, TX
Median Salary$77,791$95,753
Hourly Rate$37.40$46.04
Entry Level (P10)$45,119$64,619
25th Percentile$62,072$78,583
75th Percentile$99,435$100,607
Top Earner (P90)$120,576$107,285
Total Employed2016,430
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Carrollton ($77,791) and Dallas ($95,753) police officer salaries.CarrolltonDallasMedian Salary$77,791$95,753Entry Level (P10)$45,119$64,619Top Earner (P90)$120,576$107,285US Median $78,542

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Carrollton and Dallas is $17,962 (23.09%). Dallas's median is +21.91% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Carrollton spans $75,457,Dallas spans $42,666. Carrollton has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Carrollton
P10 (Entry)$45,119
P25$62,072
Median$77,791
P75$99,435
P90 (Top)$120,576
Dallas
P10 (Entry)$64,619
P25$78,583
Median$95,753
P75$100,607
P90 (Top)$107,285

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dallas ($92,883 effective) pays 14.62% more than Carrollton ($81,032 effective).

Carrollton
Nominal: $77,791
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $81,032
Dallas
Nominal: $95,753
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $92,883

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Carrollton if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($120,576)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Dallas if…

  • Higher median salary ($95,753/year)
  • Larger job market (16,430 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $92,883)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Carrollton grew 7.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 29.5% growth in Dallas over the same period.

Carrollton, TX

+7.9%

$69,965 (2024) → $75,481 (2025)

Dallas, TX

+29.5%

$71,770 (2019) → $92,910 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Carrollton or Dallas?

Dallas has a higher median police officer salary at $95,753/year, compared to Carrollton at $77,791/year — a difference of $17,962 (23.09%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Carrollton and Dallas?

Carrollton police officers earn $37.40/hr while Dallas hygienists earn $46.04/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Carrollton to Dallas as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Carrollton and Dallas. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Carrollton = $81,032, Dallas = $92,883), job availability (20 vs 16,430 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Carrollton vs Dallas?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $45,119 in Carrollton and $64,619 in Dallas. The Dallas 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