Houston vs El Paso: Police Officer Salary (2026)
Compare police officer salaries between Houston, TX and El Paso, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | El Paso, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $76,852 | $78,738▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $36.95 | $37.85▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,919▲ | $48,603 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,114▲ | $61,176 |
| 75th Percentile | $85,004 | $98,494▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $96,670 | $98,494▲ |
| Total Employed | 16,250▲ | 1,700 |
Verdict
El Paso, TX offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Houston.
The salary gap between Houston and El Paso is $1,886 (2.45%). El Paso's median is +0.25% compared to the US national median of $78,542.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Houston spans $35,751,El Paso spans $49,891. El Paso has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, El Paso ($87,572 effective) pays 12.39% more than Houston ($77,920 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Houston if…
- ✓Larger job market (16,250 employed)
- ✓You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle
Choose El Paso if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($78,738/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($98,494)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $87,572)
- ✓You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Houston grew 15.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 18.9% growth in El Paso over the same period.
Houston, TX
$64,620 (2019) → $74,570 (2025)
El Paso, TX
$64,260 (2019) → $76,400 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Houston, TX
El Paso, TX
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays police officers more: Houston or El Paso?
What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and El Paso?
Should I relocate from Houston to El Paso as a police officer?
What do entry-level police officers earn in Houston vs El Paso?
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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