Police Officer Hourly Pay in Galveston, TX: $37.06 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Galveston, TX runs $37.06 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $77,091 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Galveston's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $38.60 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,251 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Galveston, TX, police officers can expect a median hourly pay of $37.06, which is slightly below the national median of $37.76 for this profession. This hourly rate reflects the work conducted in various settings such as patrol vehicles, booking areas at police stations, and showing up as witnesses in court. For part-time officers working three days a week, those hours can translate into a meaningful income while still allowing flexibility in their schedules. Entry-level positions start around $22.51 per hour, while more experienced officers, up to the 90th percentile, can earn as much as $55.51 hourly. These figures, derived from annual salary estimates, highlight the potential for earning across different levels within the police force.
About the Galveston 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) | $22.51 | $180.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.14 | $225.08 |
| Median (P50) | $37.06 | $296.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.43 | $379.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.51 | $444.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Galveston
Based on $37.06/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.06/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Galveston, TX can expect to earn approximately $77,086 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,472. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Galveston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Galveston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,482.42 | $6,424 | $77,086 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $889.45 | $3,854 | $46,251 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $592.97 | $2,570 | $30,834 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Galveston) | $37.06 |
| 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 Galveston, TX earn a median of $77,091 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.85% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 0.30% above the Texas state average of $76,860.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.06/hr = $46,251/year (purchasing power: $48,178).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $77,086/year (purchasing power: $80,297).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.06/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Galveston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.93/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.49/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.04/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.11/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.33/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.06/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.19/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Galveston grew 20.7% from $29.80/hr (2019) to $35.96/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.19/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 Galveston 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 Galveston
Examining part-time earnings reveals that a Galveston police officer working 24 hours per week can bring home a substantial income, albeit lower than full-time counterparts. Additionally, the reality of the per diem police officer pay in Galveston allows opportunities for overtime and extra-duty assignments, which can increase take-home pay by 20-50% in some instances. Roles in municipal police departments, county sheriff's offices, and federal law enforcement all offer distinct pay scales and benefits, reflecting the diverse opportunities within the field. While municipal jobs provide stability, other positions like federal roles may come with higher hourly rates but differing benefits packages. Officers must consider their overall compensation, often negotiating for health insurance or benefits versus a higher hourly wage with fewer perks. Understanding the nuances of the police officer hourly rate in TX is key for those looking to maximize their earnings in a competitive landscape.
More salary data for Galveston, 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 Galveston. 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 Galveston 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