Police Officer Hourly Pay in Lancaster, TX: $35.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Lancaster, TX runs $35.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,507 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Lancaster's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $37.32 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,708 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lancaster, TX, the police officer hourly pay stands at $35.82, which is slightly below the national median of $37.76. This hourly rate indicates an average level of earnings for officers in the area, making it a practical choice for those considering part-time work or per-diem assignments. A police officer working three days a week on a typical 24-hour schedule could expect to earn approximately $2,151.84 weekly while performing duties in diverse settings such as patrol vehicles, booking areas, and special operations. The hourly pay range for police officers in Lancaster varies significantly, beginning at $21.65 for entry-level positions and reaching up to $53.37 for top earners. These estimates are derived from annual salary data and reflect the unique dynamics of public safety work within the community.
About the Lancaster 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) | $21.65 | $173.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.19 | $233.49 |
| Median (P50) | $35.82 | $286.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.85 | $366.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.37 | $427.00 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lancaster
Based on $35.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.82/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lancaster, TX can expect to earn approximately $74,513 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,988. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lancaster.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lancaster
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,432.95 | $6,209 | $74,513 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $859.77 | $3,726 | $44,708 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $573.18 | $2,484 | $29,805 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Lancaster) | $35.82 |
| 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 Lancaster, TX earn a median of $74,507 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.14% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 3.10% below the Texas state average of $76,891.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.82/hr = $44,708/year (purchasing power: $46,571).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,513/year (purchasing power: $77,618).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.76/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Lancaster (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.89/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.47/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.01/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.22/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.76/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Lancaster grew 20.7% from $28.80/hr (2019) to $34.76/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.92/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 Lancaster 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 Lancaster
When exploring part-time options, a three-day work week allows officers to maintain a balanced lifestyle while still earning a competitive income. Comparatively, full-time officers typically take home a significantly higher annual amount due to the structure of salaried positions and the mandatory overtime often associated with court appearances or special details. Overtime pay, typically paid at 1.5 times the base rate, can enhance an officer's take-home pay by 20-50%. Additionally, officers may seek per-diem opportunities in Lancaster through agency programs, which frequently pay between $35 and $75 per hour for security and event management tasks. Various employer types—municipal departments, sheriff's offices, state patrols, and federal law enforcement—exhibit different pay scales, with benefits being a trade-off for lower hourly wages in some cases. It’s crucial for officers to negotiate effectively, taking into account job benefits versus hourly rates when considering their employment options in a city like Lancaster.
More salary data for Lancaster, 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 Lancaster. 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 Lancaster 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