Police Officer Salary

San Antonio vs San Juan: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

San Antonio, TX
$76,120
$36.60/hr
San Juan, TX
$73,619
$35.39/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Antonio, TXSan Juan, TX
Median Salary$76,120$73,619
Hourly Rate$36.60$35.39
Entry Level (P10)$59,167$49,116
25th Percentile$62,248$58,925
75th Percentile$77,336$94,232
Top Earner (P90)$97,618$110,606
Total Employed5,1309
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Antonio ($76,120) and San Juan ($73,619) police officer salaries.San AntonioSan JuanMedian Salary$76,120$73,619Entry Level (P10)$59,167$49,116Top Earner (P90)$97,618$110,606US Median $78,542

Verdict

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

The salary gap between San Antonio and San Juan is $2,501 (3.40%). 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 San Antonio spans $38,451,San Juan spans $61,490. San Juan has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

San Antonio
P10 (Entry)$59,167
P25$62,248
Median$76,120
P75$77,336
P90 (Top)$97,618
San Juan
P10 (Entry)$49,116
P25$58,925
Median$73,619
P75$94,232
P90 (Top)$110,606

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Antonio ($80,367 effective) pays 4.80% more than San Juan ($76,686 effective).

San Antonio
Nominal: $76,120
CoL Index: 94.716
Adjusted: $80,367
San Juan
Nominal: $73,619
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $76,686

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose San Juan if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($110,606)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in San Antonio grew 27.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 7.9% growth in San Juan over the same period.

San Antonio, TX

+27.2%

$58,050 (2019) → $73,860 (2025)

San Juan, TX

+7.9%

$66,212 (2024) → $71,433 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

San Antonio has a higher median police officer salary at $76,120/year, compared to San Juan at $73,619/year — a difference of $2,501 (3.40%).

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

San Antonio police officers earn $36.60/hr while San Juan hygienists earn $35.39/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Antonio and San Juan. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Antonio = $80,367, San Juan = $76,686), job availability (5,130 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $59,167 in San Antonio and $49,116 in San Juan. 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