Police Officer Hourly Pay in El Paso, TX: $37.85 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in El Paso, TX runs $37.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $78,738 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against El Paso's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.9, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $42.10 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,242 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In El Paso, the projected police officer hourly pay for 2026 is set at $37.85, which slightly surpasses the national hourly median of $37.76. This figure is crucial for part-time officers who typically work three days a week, allowing for a stable income while balancing other commitments. Common work environments include assigned patrol vehicles, police stations for report writing, and courtrooms for testimony, all of which demand different levels of expertise and commitment. As such, entry-level officers can expect to earn around $23.37 per hour, while the highest earners in the field may take home approximately $47.36, reflecting a substantial variance based on experience, specialization, and department assignment. This BLS data offers valuable insight for those considering their career paths within law enforcement in El Paso, TX.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.37 | $186.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.41 | $235.31 |
| Median (P50) | $37.85 | $302.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.36 | $378.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.36 | $378.85 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in El Paso
Based on $37.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.85/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in El Paso, TX can expect to earn approximately $78,736 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,425. With a cost-of-living index of 89.91 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in El Paso.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in El Paso
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,514.16 | $6,561 | $78,736 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $908.49 | $3,937 | $47,242 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $605.66 | $2,625 | $31,494 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (El Paso) | $37.85 |
| 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 El Paso, TX earn a median of $78,738 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.25% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 2.50% above the Texas state average of $76,817.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.85/hr = $47,242/year (purchasing power: $52,542).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $78,736/year (purchasing power: $87,570).
CoL index: 89.912 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.90/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.73/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.85/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in El Paso (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.90/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.67/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.64/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.24/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.73/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.85/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in El Paso grew 18.9% from $30.90/hr (2019) to $36.73/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.01/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 El Paso 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 El Paso
Evaluating part-time earning potential reveals a significant difference compared to full-time positions. A police officer working 24 hours per week can reasonably expect an annual take-home pay considerably less than that of a full-time colleague, who typically benefits from higher overtime pay rates, especially for mandatory court appearances or special details. Furthermore, many officers supplement their income with per-diem police officer pay in El Paso, often earning $35 to $75 per hour for off-duty assignments like event security. The variation in hourly rates also reflects the type of law enforcement agency, with municipal departments generally offering lower pay compared to federal agencies, where activities come with additional benefits such as health insurance. Negotiation regarding pay can play a substantial role, particularly in a market where officers might forego higher hourly rates for comprehensive health benefits, making it essential for new and experienced officers alike to weigh their options carefully within the Texas law enforcement sector.
More salary data for El Paso, 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 El Paso. 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