Police Officer Salary

Dallas vs Lufkin: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

Dallas, TX
$95,753
$46.04/hr
Lufkin, TX
$72,945
$35.07/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXLufkin, TX
Median Salary$95,753$72,945
Hourly Rate$46.04$35.07
Entry Level (P10)$64,619$47,579
25th Percentile$78,583$57,582
75th Percentile$100,607$91,734
Top Earner (P90)$107,285$105,552
Total Employed16,4308
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($95,753) and Lufkin ($72,945) police officer salaries.DallasLufkinMedian Salary$95,753$72,945Entry Level (P10)$64,619$47,579Top Earner (P90)$107,285$105,552US Median $78,542

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Dallas and Lufkin is $22,808 (31.27%). 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,Lufkin spans $57,973. Lufkin 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
Lufkin
P10 (Entry)$47,579
P25$57,582
Median$72,945
P75$91,734
P90 (Top)$105,552

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dallas ($92,883 effective) pays 22.24% more than Lufkin ($75,984 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $95,753
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $92,883
Lufkin
Nominal: $72,945
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $75,984

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)
  • Better top-earner potential ($107,285)
  • Larger job market (16,430 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $92,883)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Lufkin if…

  • 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 Lufkin over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+29.5%

$71,770 (2019) → $92,910 (2025)

Lufkin, TX

+7.9%

$65,606 (2024) → $70,779 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Dallas or Lufkin?

Dallas has a higher median police officer salary at $95,753/year, compared to Lufkin at $72,945/year — a difference of $22,808 (31.27%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and Lufkin?

Dallas police officers earn $46.04/hr while Lufkin hygienists earn $35.07/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and Lufkin. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $92,883, Lufkin = $75,984), job availability (16,430 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $64,619 in Dallas and $47,579 in Lufkin. 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