Police Officer Salary

Midland vs San Antonio: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Midland, TX and San Antonio, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Midland, TX
$82,716
$39.77/hr
San Antonio, TX
$76,120
$36.60/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMidland, TXSan Antonio, TX
Median Salary$82,716$76,120
Hourly Rate$39.77$36.60
Entry Level (P10)$65,845$59,167
25th Percentile$75,357$62,248
75th Percentile$99,834$77,336
Top Earner (P90)$109,254$97,618
Total Employed3405,130
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Midland ($82,716) and San Antonio ($76,120) police officer salaries.MidlandSan AntonioMedian Salary$82,716$76,120Entry Level (P10)$65,845$59,167Top Earner (P90)$109,254$97,618US Median $78,542

Verdict

Midland, TX offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to San Antonio.

The salary gap between Midland and San Antonio is $6,596 (8.67%). Midland's median is +5.31% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Midland spans $43,409,San Antonio spans $38,451. Midland has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Midland
P10 (Entry)$65,845
P25$75,357
Median$82,716
P75$99,834
P90 (Top)$109,254
San Antonio
P10 (Entry)$59,167
P25$62,248
Median$76,120
P75$77,336
P90 (Top)$97,618

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Midland ($86,358 effective) pays 7.45% more than San Antonio ($80,367 effective).

Midland
Nominal: $82,716
CoL Index: 95.783
Adjusted: $86,358
San Antonio
Nominal: $76,120
CoL Index: 94.716
Adjusted: $80,367

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Midland if…

  • Higher median salary ($82,716/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($109,254)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $86,358)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose San Antonio if…

  • Larger job market (5,130 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Midland grew 30.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 27.2% growth in San Antonio over the same period.

Midland, TX

+30.2%

$61,660 (2019) → $80,260 (2025)

San Antonio, TX

+27.2%

$58,050 (2019) → $73,860 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Midland or San Antonio?

Midland has a higher median police officer salary at $82,716/year, compared to San Antonio at $76,120/year — a difference of $6,596 (8.67%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Midland and San Antonio?

Midland police officers earn $39.77/hr while San Antonio hygienists earn $36.60/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Midland to San Antonio as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Midland and San Antonio. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Midland = $86,358, San Antonio = $80,367), job availability (340 vs 5,130 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Midland vs San Antonio?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $65,845 in Midland and $59,167 in San Antonio. The Midland 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