Police Officer Hourly Pay in Mesquite, TX: $36.72 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Mesquite, TX runs $36.72 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $76,388 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Mesquite's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $38.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,827 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Mesquite's police officer hourly pay is projected to be $36.72 in 2026, slightly lower than the national average of $37.76. This figure translates to significant earning potential for those working part-time or per diem. For officers working three days a week, the part-time commitment allows for flexibility while still earning a competitive wage in environments as diverse as patrol vehicles, courtrooms, and specialized operational units. As the hourly ranges vary widely—from $23.11 for entry-level positions to $56.39 for top earners—there's an opportunity for career progression that can lead to enhanced earnings through overtime and specialized roles.
About the Mesquite 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) | $23.11 | $184.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.52 | $228.13 |
| Median (P50) | $36.72 | $293.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.01 | $376.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56.39 | $451.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Mesquite
Based on $36.72/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.72/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Mesquite, TX can expect to earn approximately $76,378 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,064. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Mesquite.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Mesquite
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,468.81 | $6,365 | $76,378 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $881.29 | $3,819 | $45,827 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $587.52 | $2,546 | $30,551 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Mesquite) | $36.72 |
| 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 Mesquite, TX earn a median of $76,388 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.74% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 0.60% below the Texas state average of $76,849.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.72/hr = $45,827/year (purchasing power: $47,736).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $76,378/year (purchasing power: $79,561).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.52/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.63/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.72/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Mesquite (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.52/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.64/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.21/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.76/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.79/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.63/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.72/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Mesquite grew 20.7% from $29.52/hr (2019) to $35.63/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.84/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 Mesquite 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 Mesquite
For part-time police officers in Mesquite, working a schedule of three days a week, they can take home considerably less than their full-time counterparts. This dynamic creates a compelling case for considering per diem assignments, where officers may earn additional pay at rates of $35 to $75 per hour for off-duty details, thus supplementing their income. Agencies often offer competitive hourly rates, but municipal departments provide structured benefits that may trade off higher pay for stability in healthcare and pension plans. Negotiating the hourly rate in Mesquite can influence overall job satisfaction and financial security. For those entering the field or transitioning roles, understanding how hourly pay fluctuates within various police roles and departments—such as state police or federal law enforcement—is crucial for making informed career decisions while navigating opportunities in policing.
More salary data for Mesquite, 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 Mesquite. 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 Mesquite 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