Police Officer Hourly Pay in Lubbock, TX: $38.20 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Lubbock, TX runs $38.20 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $79,470 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Lubbock's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $41.84 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,679 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Lubbock, Texas, police officers earn a median hourly rate of $38.20, which slightly exceeds the national median of $37.76. This competitive pay reflects the diverse environments in which officers operate, from patrol vehicles on assigned beats to the critical duties performed in police stations, courts, and specialized operations like SWAT deployments or federal field investigations. For part-time officers working three days a week, or per diem police officer positions, this hourly wage can translate into varying earnings based on the number of shifts worked and specific assignments, with an hourly range spanning from $24.04 for entry-level positions to $49.33 for experienced professionals. These figures are backed by comprehensive Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, ensuring accuracy and reliability.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.04 | $192.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.59 | $236.71 |
| Median (P50) | $38.20 | $305.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.33 | $394.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.33 | $394.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lubbock
Based on $38.20/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.20/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lubbock, TX can expect to earn approximately $79,465 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,845. With a cost-of-living index of 91.32 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lubbock.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lubbock
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,528.17 | $6,622 | $79,465 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $916.90 | $3,973 | $47,679 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $611.27 | $2,649 | $31,786 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Lubbock) | $38.20 |
| 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 Lubbock, TX earn a median of $79,470 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.18% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 3.40% above the Texas state average of $76,856.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.20/hr = $47,679/year (purchasing power: $52,213).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $79,465/year (purchasing power: $87,021).
CoL index: 91.317 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.18/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.07/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.20/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Lubbock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.18/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.77/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.45/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.49/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.53/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.66/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.07/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.20/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.37/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Lubbock grew 27.0% from $29.18/hr (2019) to $37.07/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.37/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 Lubbock 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 Lubbock
When considering part-time work in law enforcement in Lubbock, those on a three-day work schedule (approximately 24 hours a week) may anticipate a substantial annual income compared to full-time counterparts. Given that police work often incurs mandatory overtime—sometimes elevating total compensation by 20-50% for court appearances or special duty assignments—per diem opportunities commonly offer $35-$75 an hour. The Lubbock labor market features a variety of employer types, from municipal police departments and county sheriff's offices to state police and federal law enforcement, each impacting the hourly pay structure. For some officers, the decision to accept a lower hourly rate in exchange for comprehensive health insurance benefits can make financial sense, reflecting a trade-off between immediate cash and long-term security. When negotiating pay rates, it is advisable for officers to assess their specific agency’s compensation structure, potential overtime pay, and the value of benefits packages, which can influence their overall career financial landscape in law enforcement.
More salary data for Lubbock, 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 Lubbock. 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