Police Officer Salary

Nacogdoches vs San Antonio: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

Nacogdoches, TX
$72,939
$35.07/hr
San Antonio, TX
$76,120
$36.60/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNacogdoches, TXSan Antonio, TX
Median Salary$72,939$76,120
Hourly Rate$35.07$36.60
Entry Level (P10)$47,488$59,167
25th Percentile$55,948$62,248
75th Percentile$91,665$77,336
Top Earner (P90)$105,531$97,618
Total Employed75,130
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Nacogdoches ($72,939) and San Antonio ($76,120) police officer salaries.NacogdochesSan AntonioMedian Salary$72,939$76,120Entry Level (P10)$47,488$59,167Top Earner (P90)$105,531$97,618US Median $78,542

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Nacogdoches and San Antonio is $3,181 (4.36%). San Antonio's median is -3.08% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Nacogdoches spans $58,043,San Antonio spans $38,451. Nacogdoches has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Nacogdoches
P10 (Entry)$47,488
P25$55,948
Median$72,939
P75$91,665
P90 (Top)$105,531
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, San Antonio ($80,367 effective) pays 5.78% more than Nacogdoches ($75,978 effective).

Nacogdoches
Nominal: $72,939
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $75,978
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 Nacogdoches if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($105,531)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose San Antonio if…

  • Higher median salary ($76,120/year)
  • Larger job market (5,130 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $80,367)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Nacogdoches grew 7.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 27.2% growth in San Antonio over the same period.

Nacogdoches, TX

+7.9%

$65,601 (2024) → $70,773 (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: Nacogdoches or San Antonio?

San Antonio has a higher median police officer salary at $76,120/year, compared to Nacogdoches at $72,939/year — a difference of $3,181 (4.36%).

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

Nacogdoches police officers earn $35.07/hr while San Antonio hygienists earn $36.60/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Nacogdoches and San Antonio. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Nacogdoches = $75,978, San Antonio = $80,367), job availability (7 vs 5,130 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $47,488 in Nacogdoches and $59,167 in San Antonio. The San Antonio 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