Police Officer Salary

Dallas vs Rowlett: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

Dallas, TX
$95,753
$46.04/hr
Rowlett, TX
$75,283
$36.19/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXRowlett, TX
Median Salary$95,753$75,283
Hourly Rate$46.04$36.19
Entry Level (P10)$64,619$46,446
25th Percentile$78,583$57,871
75th Percentile$100,607$96,362
Top Earner (P90)$107,285$114,148
Total Employed16,43015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($95,753) and Rowlett ($75,283) police officer salaries.DallasRowlettMedian Salary$95,753$75,283Entry Level (P10)$64,619$46,446Top Earner (P90)$107,285$114,148US Median $78,542

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Dallas and Rowlett is $20,470 (27.19%). 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,Rowlett spans $67,702. Rowlett 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
Rowlett
P10 (Entry)$46,446
P25$57,871
Median$75,283
P75$96,362
P90 (Top)$114,148

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dallas ($92,883 effective) pays 18.44% more than Rowlett ($78,420 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $95,753
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $92,883
Rowlett
Nominal: $75,283
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $78,420

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 Rowlett if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($114,148)
  • 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 Rowlett over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+29.5%

$71,770 (2019) → $92,910 (2025)

Rowlett, TX

+7.9%

$67,709 (2024) → $73,048 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Dallas or Rowlett?

Dallas has a higher median police officer salary at $95,753/year, compared to Rowlett at $75,283/year — a difference of $20,470 (27.19%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and Rowlett?

Dallas police officers earn $46.04/hr while Rowlett hygienists earn $36.19/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and Rowlett. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $92,883, Rowlett = $78,420), job availability (16,430 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $64,619 in Dallas and $46,446 in Rowlett. 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