Police Officer Salary in Austin, TX: $84,808 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Austin, TX earns a median $84,808/year (≈ $40.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Austin's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $86,481 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.4% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, police officers in Austin, Texas, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $84,808, which is approximately 7.98% higher than the national median of $78,542. This figure is derived from the official BLS OEWS data and reflects a salary range that spans from $53,581 at the 10th percentile to $106,337 at the 90th percentile. Alongside the base salary, factors such as pension multipliers significantly impact long-term compensation, shaping officers' retirement benefits over time. As Texas's capital, Austin offers a competitive salary landscape that can be appealing for both new recruits and seasoned officers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,581 | $25.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,844 | $33.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,808 | $40.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,751 | $48.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,337 | $51.13 |
Median Salary Position
7.98% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Austin
In Austin, TX, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,756 (2026 est.). At $84,808, the local median is 7.98% above the national median of $78,542.
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At 40 hours/week in Austin: You'd be above the median
How Austin Police Officer Pay Compares
Austin median: $84,808/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Austin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $76,819 | +10.40% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +7.98% more |
Police Officers in Austin, TX earn a median of $84,808 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.98% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 10.40% above the Texas state average of $76,819.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Austin has a cost of living 1.93% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Austin, TX has a cost-of-living index of 98.066 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $84,808 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $86,481 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.97% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,300
2025 BLS Actual
$82,290
2026 Current Est.
$84,808
2019–2027 Growth
+22.6%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Austin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,300 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,530 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,350 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,030 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,820 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,290 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,808 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,403 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Austin metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 15.4% from $71,300 (2019) to $82,290 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,403 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,103 (22.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Austin 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) | $53,581 – $68,844 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,844 – $84,808 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,808 – $100,751 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,751 – $106,337 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Austin
The local job market for police officers in Austin is robust, with around 4,540 officers employed across various agencies, offering a mix of opportunities. Austin's cost of living index stands at 98.066, indicating that while salaries are competitive, actual purchasing power may be affected. Municipal police departments generally pay lower than federal law enforcement agencies, especially when considering the different incentives associated with federal positions. To maximize their earning potential, police officers in Austin should focus on obtaining specialized training or assignments, such as SWAT or K-9 units, which often come with additional stipends. Officers can also enhance their pay by pursuing educational incentives and leveraging union benefits that pertain to overtime and shift differentials. Understanding how variations in agency budgets and responsibilities affect pay can help make informed career decisions in this evolving local law enforcement climate.
More salary data for Austin, 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
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 $82,290 for police officersin the Austin 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