Police Officer Salary in Amarillo, TX: $81,314 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Amarillo, TX earns a median $81,314/year (≈ $39.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Amarillo's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $88,558 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.8% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, police officer salaries in Amarillo, TX are projected to rise to a median annual income of $81,314. This figure reflects the importance of understanding pension multiplier formulas and their long-term benefits for retirement planning. With a salary range spanning from $59,497 at the 10th percentile to $94,197 at the 90th percentile, the compensation landscape offers opportunities across various skill and experience levels. Data sourced from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reinforces this pay framework, revealing how Amarillo’s local job market supports competitive policing wages, particularly when taking into account the cost of living in the region. This analytical framework sets a promising outlook for those considering a career in law enforcement in Amarillo.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,497 | $28.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,185 | $31.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,314 | $39.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,716 | $39.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,197 | $45.28 |
Median Salary Position
3.53% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Amarillo
In Amarillo, TX, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,700 (2026 est.). At $81,314, the local median is 3.53% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Amarillo: You'd be above the median
How Amarillo Police Officer Pay Compares
Amarillo median: $81,314/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Amarillo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $76,857 | +5.80% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +3.53% more |
Police Officers in Amarillo, TX earn a median of $81,314 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.53% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 5.80% above the Texas state average of $76,857.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Amarillo has a cost of living 8.18% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Amarillo, TX has a cost-of-living index of 91.82 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $81,314 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $88,558 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.91% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$69,050
2025 BLS Actual
$78,900
2026 Current Est.
$81,314
2019–2027 Growth
+21.4%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Amarillo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,050 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,520 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,340 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,970 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,830 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,900 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,314 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,803 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Amarillo metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 14.3% from $69,050 (2019) to $78,900 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,803 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,753 (21.37%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Amarillo 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $59,497 – $65,185 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,185 – $81,314 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,314 – $82,716 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,716 – $94,197 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Amarillo
As of now, Amarillo employs approximately 610 police officers, contributing significantly to the stability of its local law enforcement job market. The area enjoys a cost-of-living index of 91.82, suggesting that salaries stretch further here compared to higher-cost regions, making take-home pay potentially more impactful for officers. Among various employers, municipal police departments typically lead in pay scales, followed closely by county sheriff’s offices and federal law enforcement agencies like the FBI. The disparity in officer pay is influenced by agency type, special assignments, and overtime structures. For those in Amarillo, targeting roles in federal law enforcement or specialized units can be particularly lucrative. Officers can enhance their earnings through strategic union negotiations, seeking overtime opportunities, and pursuing educational incentives, thus maximizing their police officer pay in Amarillo, TX while ensuring a secure financial future through pensions.
More salary data for Amarillo, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Amarillo, TX in 2026?
Is Amarillo, TX a good place to work as a police officer?
Can police officers make $100K in Amarillo?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted police officer salary in Amarillo?
How much does a police officer make per hour in Amarillo?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Texas
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $78,900 for police officersin the Amarillo metropolitan area. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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