Police Officer Salary in Baytown, TX: $76,463 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Baytown, TX earns a median $76,463/year (≈ $36.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Baytown's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $79,649 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the estimated police officer salary in Baytown, TX, sits at $76,463, slightly trailing the national median of $78,542, providing local officers a unique position in their compensation landscape. Salaries in the city range significantly from $45,500 at the 10th percentile to $113,454 at the 90th percentile. These figures reflect local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026 and account for regional cost of living adjustments. Baytown’s job market, with a total of 16 police officers currently employed, demonstrates a solid demand for law enforcement professionals, even as the varied salary range highlights the impact of agency type on compensation structures within the state.
About the Baytown Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,500 | $21.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,289 | $27.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,463 | $36.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,032 | $46.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $113,454 | $54.55 |
Median Salary Position
2.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Baytown
In Baytown, TX, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,954 (2026 est.). At $76,463, the local median is 2.65% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Baytown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Baytown Police Officer Pay Compares
Baytown median: $76,463/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Baytown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $76,848 | -0.50% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -2.65% less |
Police Officers in Baytown, TX earn a median of $76,463 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.65% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 0.50% below the Texas state average of $76,848.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Baytown 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.
Baytown, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $76,463 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $79,649 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,479
2025 BLS Actual
$74,193
2026 Current Est.
$76,463
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Baytown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,479 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,805 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,900 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,049 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,367 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,771 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,193 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,463 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,803 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Baytown metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $61,479 (2019) to $74,193 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,803 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,324 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Baytown 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) | $45,500 – $57,289 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,289 – $76,463 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,463 – $97,032 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,032 – $113,454 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Baytown
Despite a competitive average for police officer pay in Baytown, TX, the cost of living index stands at 96, which means officers’ take-home purchasing power can vary significantly. Although municipal police departments generally offer stable salaries, those seeking maximum earnings may find opportunities in federal law enforcement entities such as the FBI or DEA, where salaries can exceed local averages. The disparity in pay among agencies arises from factors like union contracts, overtime opportunities, and specialty assignments, which can dramatically influence an officer's earnings potential. To enhance compensation in Baytown, officers can focus on obtaining additional certifications or specialized training, as these can lead to pay increases through educational incentives. Understanding the dynamics of salary determinants, especially regarding the pension multiplier and overtime structures, can equip local officers with strategic tools to optimize their financial futures in law enforcement.
More salary data for Baytown, 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 $74,193 for police officersin the Baytown 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 Baytown 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