Police Officer Salary

Houston vs Mansfield: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

Houston, TX
$76,852
$36.95/hr
Mansfield, TX
$74,821
$35.97/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXMansfield, TX
Median Salary$76,852$74,821
Hourly Rate$36.95$35.97
Entry Level (P10)$60,919$47,616
25th Percentile$63,114$58,608
75th Percentile$85,004$95,771
Top Earner (P90)$96,670$112,536
Total Employed16,25018
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($76,852) and Mansfield ($74,821) police officer salaries.HoustonMansfieldMedian Salary$76,852$74,821Entry Level (P10)$60,919$47,616Top Earner (P90)$96,670$112,536US Median $78,542

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Houston and Mansfield is $2,031 (2.71%). Houston's median is -2.15% 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,Mansfield spans $64,920. Mansfield has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$60,919
P25$63,114
Median$76,852
P75$85,004
P90 (Top)$96,670
Mansfield
P10 (Entry)$47,616
P25$58,608
Median$74,821
P75$95,771
P90 (Top)$112,536

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Mansfield ($77,939 effective) pays 0.02% more than Houston ($77,920 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $76,852
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $77,920
Mansfield
Nominal: $74,821
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $77,939

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($76,852/year)
  • Larger job market (16,250 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Mansfield if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($112,536)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,939)
  • 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 7.9% growth in Mansfield over the same period.

Houston, TX

+15.4%

$64,620 (2019) → $74,570 (2025)

Mansfield, TX

+7.9%

$67,293 (2024) → $72,599 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Houston or Mansfield?

Houston has a higher median police officer salary at $76,852/year, compared to Mansfield at $74,821/year — a difference of $2,031 (2.71%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Mansfield?

Houston police officers earn $36.95/hr while Mansfield hygienists earn $35.97/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to Mansfield as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Mansfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $77,920, Mansfield = $77,939), job availability (16,250 vs 18 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Houston vs Mansfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $60,919 in Houston and $47,616 in Mansfield. The Houston 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