Police Officer Hourly Pay in Denton, TX: $36.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Denton, TX runs $36.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $76,419 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Denton's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $38.27 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,853 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Denton, TX, the projected median police officer hourly pay for 2026 stands at $36.74, slightly below the national median of $37.76. This hourly rate translates into a viable income for part-time officers working three days a week, or those in per-diem roles, commonly utilized in various settings such as patrol cars, courtrooms, and specialized operations like SWAT or K-9 units. For entry-level police officers, the hourly compensation starts at around $23.14, while seasoned professionals can earn as much as $56.45, reflective of their experience and rank. This broad range accommodates those entering the force as well as long-standing officers who have developed specialized skills over time. These values are derived from annual salary projections that inform how the hourly rates are structured in the context of municipal budgets and law enforcement funding.
About the Denton Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.14 | $185.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.55 | $228.38 |
| Median (P50) | $36.74 | $293.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.03 | $376.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56.45 | $451.57 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Denton
Based on $36.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.74/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Denton, TX can expect to earn approximately $76,421 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,089. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Denton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Denton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,469.64 | $6,368 | $76,421 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $881.78 | $3,821 | $45,853 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $587.85 | $2,547 | $30,568 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Denton) | $36.74 |
| 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 Denton, TX earn a median of $76,419 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.70% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 0.60% below the Texas state average of $76,880.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.74/hr = $45,853/year (purchasing power: $47,763).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $76,421/year (purchasing power: $79,605).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.54/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Denton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.54/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.66/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.22/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.78/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.04/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.87/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Denton grew 20.7% from $29.54/hr (2019) to $35.65/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.87/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 Denton 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 Denton
Examining the potential financial aspects for part-time police officers reveals interesting contrasts to full-time counterparts. A part-time officer working 24 hours a week could realistically take home around $45,000 annually, vastly different from a full-time officer's earnings. The per diem police officer pay in Denton varies significantly depending on assignments, often including lucrative off-duty opportunities such as event security, with rates reaching $35 to $75 per hour. Municipal police departments in Denton generally offer more stability compared to private corporate security positions, but the latter often compensates with higher hourly rates. Many officers must weigh the trade-offs between hourly wages and benefits like health insurance offered by government jobs. For those looking to negotiate their pay, highlighting specialized skills and certifications can be key in discussions with department heads and may lead to greater financial returns in an environment where pay structures can differ widely between employer types.
More salary data for Denton, 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 Denton. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Denton is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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