Police Officer Salary

Dallas vs Del Rio: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

Dallas, TX
$95,753
$46.04/hr
Del Rio, TX
$75,658
$36.37/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXDel Rio, TX
Median Salary$95,753$75,658
Hourly Rate$46.04$36.37
Entry Level (P10)$64,619$47,571
25th Percentile$78,583$58,470
75th Percentile$100,607$93,873
Top Earner (P90)$107,285$107,482
Total Employed16,4309
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($95,753) and Del Rio ($75,658) police officer salaries.DallasDel RioMedian Salary$95,753$75,658Entry Level (P10)$64,619$47,571Top Earner (P90)$107,285$107,482US Median $78,542

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Dallas and Del Rio is $20,095 (26.56%). 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 Dallas spans $42,666,Del Rio spans $59,911. Del Rio has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

Dallas
P10 (Entry)$64,619
P25$78,583
Median$95,753
P75$100,607
P90 (Top)$107,285
Del Rio
P10 (Entry)$47,571
P25$58,470
Median$75,658
P75$93,873
P90 (Top)$107,482

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dallas ($92,883 effective) pays 17.86% more than Del Rio ($78,810 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $95,753
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $92,883
Del Rio
Nominal: $75,658
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $78,810

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Del Rio if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($107,482)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Dallas grew 29.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 7.9% growth in Del Rio over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+29.5%

$71,770 (2019) → $92,910 (2025)

Del Rio, TX

+7.9%

$68,047 (2024) → $73,412 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Dallas or Del Rio?

Dallas has a higher median police officer salary at $95,753/year, compared to Del Rio at $75,658/year — a difference of $20,095 (26.56%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and Del Rio?

Dallas police officers earn $46.04/hr while Del Rio hygienists earn $36.37/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dallas to Del Rio as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and Del Rio. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $92,883, Del Rio = $78,810), job availability (16,430 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $64,619 in Dallas and $47,571 in Del Rio. 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