Police Officer Salary in Arlington, TX: $93,819 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Arlington, TX earns a median $93,819/year (≈ $45.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Arlington's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $97,728 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 22.1% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected police officer salary in Arlington, TX, is estimated at $93,819, placing it above the national median of $78,542, which reflects a notable local advantage of 19.45%. Salaries for police officers in this area vary significantly, ranging from $54,415 at the 10th percentile to $145,419 at the 90th percentile. These figures, drawn from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments, reveal that Arlington's compensation structure aligns well with the dynamics seen in urban areas, particularly when contrasted with salaries in rural jurisdictions. For aspiring officers and seasoned veterans considering the municipal choice, Arlington presents a competitive salary landscape compared to federal and state roles, highlighting its status as a viable option in today's law enforcement job market.
About the Arlington Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,415 | $26.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,318 | $33.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $93,819 | $45.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $120,088 | $57.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $145,419 | $69.92 |
Median Salary Position
19.45% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Arlington
In Arlington, TX, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $91,004 (2026 est.). At $93,819, the local median is 19.45% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Arlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Arlington Police Officer Pay Compares
Arlington median: $93,819/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Arlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $76,838 | +22.10% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +19.45% more |
Police Officers in Arlington, TX earn a median of $93,819 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.45% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 22.10% above the Texas state average of $76,838.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Arlington has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Arlington, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $93,819 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $97,728 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$75,433
2025 BLS Actual
$91,033
2026 Current Est.
$93,819
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Arlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,433 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,288 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,177 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,586 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,339 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,110 | Actual |
| 2025 | $91,033 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $93,819 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,689 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arlington metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $75,433 (2019) to $91,033 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,689 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,256 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arlington 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) | $54,415 – $69,318 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,318 – $93,819 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $93,819 – $120,088 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $120,088 – $145,419 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Arlington
With 83 police officers employed locally, the job market for law enforcement in Arlington shows solid strength. The cost of living index stands at 96, making the local economy slightly less expensive than average, which can enhance the effective purchasing power of officers' salaries. Among the employers in Arlington, municipal police departments generally offer the most competitive pay, while state police tend to fall in the middle. Factors influencing the salary spread include special assignment opportunities, overtime pay from union contracts, and educational incentives, such as additional compensation for advanced degrees that can add at least 10% to an officer's base salary. Officers seeking to maximize their earnings in Arlington may benefit from pursuing specialized training and educational advancements, as these can lead to greater career opportunities and, ultimately, higher compensation.
More salary data for Arlington, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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
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 $91,033 for police officersin the Arlington 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
Salary data for Arlington 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