Police Officer Salary

Dallas vs Tyler: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

Dallas, TX
$95,753
$46.04/hr
Tyler, TX
$74,615
$35.88/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXTyler, TX
Median Salary$95,753$74,615
Hourly Rate$46.04$35.88
Entry Level (P10)$64,619$45,841
25th Percentile$78,583$60,671
75th Percentile$100,607$82,716
Top Earner (P90)$107,285$100,793
Total Employed16,430490
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($95,753) and Tyler ($74,615) police officer salaries.DallasTylerMedian Salary$95,753$74,615Entry Level (P10)$64,619$45,841Top Earner (P90)$107,285$100,793US Median $78,542

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Dallas and Tyler is $21,138 (28.33%). 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,Tyler spans $54,952. Tyler 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
Tyler
P10 (Entry)$45,841
P25$60,671
Median$74,615
P75$82,716
P90 (Top)$100,793

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dallas ($92,883 effective) pays 14.72% more than Tyler ($80,966 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $95,753
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $92,883
Tyler
Nominal: $74,615
CoL Index: 92.156
Adjusted: $80,966

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 Tyler 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 16.4% growth in Tyler over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+29.5%

$71,770 (2019) → $92,910 (2025)

Tyler, TX

+16.4%

$62,220 (2019) → $72,400 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Dallas or Tyler?

Dallas has a higher median police officer salary at $95,753/year, compared to Tyler at $74,615/year — a difference of $21,138 (28.33%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and Tyler?

Dallas police officers earn $46.04/hr while Tyler hygienists earn $35.88/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and Tyler. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $92,883, Tyler = $80,966), job availability (16,430 vs 490 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $64,619 in Dallas and $45,841 in Tyler. 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