Police Officer Hourly Pay in Leander, TX: $35.85 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Leander, TX runs $35.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,577 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Leander's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $37.35 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,747 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Leander, Texas, police officers earn a median hourly rate of $35.85, which is slightly below the national median of $37.76. This pay structure provides a fair compensation framework for those working various shifts, including part-time positions, where an officer might be scheduled for three days a week. Their time is often spent in a range of settings, from conducting patrols in police vehicles to working in booking and report-writing rooms. The hourly wage range in Leander spans from $22.63 for entry-level positions to $53.69 for top earners. This broad spectrum not only reflects varying levels of experience but also encompasses the particular responsibilities and challenges inherent in different roles within law enforcement.
About the Leander 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) | $22.63 | $181.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.95 | $223.60 |
| Median (P50) | $35.85 | $286.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.80 | $366.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.69 | $429.55 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Leander
Based on $35.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.85/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Leander, TX can expect to earn approximately $74,578 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,025. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Leander.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Leander
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,434.18 | $6,215 | $74,578 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $860.51 | $3,729 | $44,747 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $573.67 | $2,486 | $29,831 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Leander) | $35.85 |
| 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 Leander, TX earn a median of $74,577 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.05% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 3.00% below the Texas state average of $76,884.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.85/hr = $44,747/year (purchasing power: $46,611).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,578/year (purchasing power: $77,685).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.83/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.85/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Leander (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.83/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.92/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.49/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.03/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.25/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.85/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.95/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Leander grew 20.7% from $28.83/hr (2019) to $34.79/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.95/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 Leander 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 Leander
The earning potential for part-time officers in Leander is significantly affected by their hourly structure. A police officer working three days a week, totaling 24 hours, might take home considerably less when compared to full-time counterparts, as full-time officers may command substantial overtime pay for court appearances and special duties, often adding 20-50% to their base earnings. Per diem or agency work also exists, with rates for event security and off-duty assignments ranging from $35-$75 per hour. Different employer types, such as county sheriff's offices and federal law enforcement agencies, have varied pay scales that can affect the overall compensation. While some officers opt for higher hourly rates that lack benefits, others appreciate the security of lower hourly wages that include health insurance and retirement options. For those negotiating their pay in Leander, understanding the local market and the value of benefits versus hourly wage could influence their decision-making.
More salary data for Leander, 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 Leander. 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 Leander 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