Police Officer Hourly Pay in Brownsville, TX: $28.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Brownsville, TX runs $28.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,559 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Brownsville's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.0, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,139 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Brownsville, Texas, the projected median hourly pay for police officers stands at $28.16, which is significantly lower than the national hourly median of $37.76. This hourly rate shapes the working landscape for both full-time and part-time officers, especially those working per diem in diverse roles such as patrol, evidence processing, or special unit operations. With an hourly range spanning from $18.75 for entry-level positions to $41.99 for highly experienced personnel, officers in Brownsville can expect varying pay reflecting their individual experience and responsibilities. These figures, sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected for 2026, underline the financial realities faced by local law enforcement professionals in a market where negotiating for better hourly wages is crucial for financial stability.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.75 | $149.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.93 | $183.45 |
| Median (P50) | $28.16 | $225.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.29 | $298.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.99 | $335.89 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Brownsville
Based on $28.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.16/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Brownsville, TX can expect to earn approximately $58,564 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,787. With a cost-of-living index of 85.97 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Brownsville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Brownsville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,126.24 | $4,880 | $58,564 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $675.74 | $2,928 | $35,139 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $450.50 | $1,952 | $23,426 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Brownsville) | $28.16 |
| 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 Brownsville, TX earn a median of $58,559 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.44% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 23.80% below the Texas state average of $76,849.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.16/hr = $35,139/year (purchasing power: $40,871).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,564/year (purchasing power: $68,118).
CoL index: 85.975 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Brownsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.36/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.53/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.11/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.64/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.02/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Brownsville grew 22.2% from $22.36/hr (2019) to $27.32/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.02/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 Brownsville 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 Brownsville
Examining the earning potential for part-time police officers reveals a stark difference when compared to full-time counterparts. For instance, a part-time officer working three days a week for a total of 24 hours may bring home significantly less yearly than full-time staff, influencing lifestyle choices and job satisfaction. Moreover, the nature of police work often includes mandatory overtime, providing the opportunity to substantially boost one’s pay; overtime can increase a worker's basis by 20-50% through court appearances and additional duties outside of standard hours. Various employers in Brownsville, from municipal departments to federal law enforcement, offer disparate hourly rates based on agency funding and jurisdiction needs. While municipal police may provide standard benefits, high-demand roles like federal positions could mean higher pay without traditional perks, forcing officers to balance compensation against benefits. Practical tips for negotiating improved pay include understanding market rates and emphasizing unique contributions to secure the best possible police officer hourly pay in Brownsville.
More salary data for Brownsville, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Brownsville. 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