Police Officer Hourly Pay in Austin, TX: $40.77 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Austin, TX runs $40.77 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $84,808 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Austin's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.1, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $41.57 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,882 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Austin, the police officer hourly pay for 2026 is projected to reach a median of $40.77, notably surpassing the national median of $37.76. This competitive hourly rate affords officers a sound income whether they choose full-time work or opt for part-time shifts, like a three-day workweek consisting of 24 hours. Those working in various settings—patrolling designated beats, completing reports at the police station, or providing court testimony—are compensated for their time spent on duty. The hourly range for Austin police officers varies widely, from $25.77 at entry-level positions to $51.13 for top earners, reflecting the diverse responsibilities and experience levels associated with the job. These figures come directly from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) hourly data, showing that law enforcement in the area provides a robust earning potential for those in this profession.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.77 | $206.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.10 | $264.82 |
| Median (P50) | $40.77 | $326.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.44 | $387.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.13 | $409.02 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Austin
Based on $40.77/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.77/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Austin, TX can expect to earn approximately $84,803 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,925. With a cost-of-living index of 98.07 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Austin.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Austin
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,630.82 | $7,067 | $84,803 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $978.49 | $4,240 | $50,882 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $652.33 | $2,827 | $33,921 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Austin) | $40.77 |
| Firefighter (National Avg) | $28.13 |
| Detective / Criminal Investigator (National Avg) | $45.86 |
| Correctional Officer (National Avg) | $25.24 |
| Security Guard (National Avg) | $17.32 |
Police Officers in Austin, TX earn a median of $84,808 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.98% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 10.40% above the Texas state average of $76,819.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.77/hr = $50,882/year (purchasing power: $51,885).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $84,803/year (purchasing power: $86,475).
CoL index: 98.066 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$34.28/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.56/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.77/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Austin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.28/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.83/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.04/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.48/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.56/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.77/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.02/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Austin grew 15.4% from $34.28/hr (2019) to $39.56/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.02/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem police officers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Austin metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.06% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Police Officer in Austin
Delving deeper into the earning dynamics for police officers in Austin, part-time officers working 24 hours weekly can expect their annual income to be much lower compared to their full-time counterparts. While a full-time officer can earn an estimated $84,808 annually, a part-timer might take home significantly less. Moreover, the per diem police officer pay in Austin varies based on additional assignments or overtime opportunities, which can contribute significantly to overall earnings. Additional compensation often accrues from mandatory overtime for court appearances and specialized duties, frequently elevating one’s hourly income by 20-50% beyond the standard rate. Salary disparities also exist depending on employer type; for example, municipal departments often offer less than federal agencies, which typically pay officers on a GS scale with additional overtime benefits. This environment can influence individual choices concerning hourly rates versus benefits like health insurance, often prompting negotiations with departments to secure the best possible arrangements tailored to a specific career path in law enforcement.
More salary data for Austin, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for police officers in Austin in 2026?
How much do part-time police officers make in Austin?
Are police officers in Austin paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time police officer make per year in Austin?
Do police officers earn more per hour working part-time in Austin?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Texas
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for police officers in Austin. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for police officers (SOC 33-3051).
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