Police Officer Salary

Corpus Christi vs San Antonio: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Corpus Christi, TX and San Antonio, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Corpus Christi, TX
$75,646
$36.37/hr
San Antonio, TX
$76,120
$36.60/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCorpus Christi, TXSan Antonio, TX
Median Salary$75,646$76,120
Hourly Rate$36.37$36.60
Entry Level (P10)$45,820$59,167
25th Percentile$61,156$62,248
75th Percentile$92,063$77,336
Top Earner (P90)$93,465$97,618
Total Employed9805,130
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Corpus Christi ($75,646) and San Antonio ($76,120) police officer salaries.Corpus ChristiSan AntonioMedian Salary$75,646$76,120Entry Level (P10)$45,820$59,167Top Earner (P90)$93,465$97,618US Median $78,542

Verdict

San Antonio, TX offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Corpus Christi.

The salary gap between Corpus Christi and San Antonio is $474 (0.63%). San Antonio's median is -3.08% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Corpus Christi spans $47,645,San Antonio spans $38,451. Corpus Christi has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Corpus Christi
P10 (Entry)$45,820
P25$61,156
Median$75,646
P75$92,063
P90 (Top)$93,465
San Antonio
P10 (Entry)$59,167
P25$62,248
Median$76,120
P75$77,336
P90 (Top)$97,618

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Corpus Christi ($81,629 effective) pays 1.57% more than San Antonio ($80,367 effective).

Corpus Christi
Nominal: $75,646
CoL Index: 92.671
Adjusted: $81,629
San Antonio
Nominal: $76,120
CoL Index: 94.716
Adjusted: $80,367

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Corpus Christi if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $81,629)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose San Antonio if…

  • Higher median salary ($76,120/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($97,618)
  • Larger job market (5,130 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Corpus Christi grew 26.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 27.2% growth in San Antonio over the same period.

Corpus Christi, TX

+26.9%

$57,830 (2019) → $73,400 (2025)

San Antonio, TX

+27.2%

$58,050 (2019) → $73,860 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Corpus Christi or San Antonio?

San Antonio has a higher median police officer salary at $76,120/year, compared to Corpus Christi at $75,646/year — a difference of $474 (0.63%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Corpus Christi and San Antonio?

Corpus Christi police officers earn $36.37/hr while San Antonio hygienists earn $36.60/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Corpus Christi to San Antonio as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Corpus Christi and San Antonio. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Corpus Christi = $81,629, San Antonio = $80,367), job availability (980 vs 5,130 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Corpus Christi vs San Antonio?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $45,820 in Corpus Christi and $59,167 in San Antonio. The San Antonio 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