Police Officer Salary in Dallas, TX: $95,753 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Dallas, TX earns a median $95,753/year (≈ $46.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Dallas's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.1), that paycheck buys what $92,883 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 24.6% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Projected data for 2026 indicates a median salary of $95,753 for police officers in Dallas, TX, significantly higher than the national median of $78,542. The salary range within the city spans from $64,619 at the 10th percentile to $107,285 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the variations in experience and specific roles. These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, demonstrate Dallas’s competitive compensation in law enforcement. With a pension multiplier formula that can substantially enhance long-term earnings, police officer pay in Dallas presents a compelling case for those considering long-term careers in the field, especially in an urban market where job opportunities are robust.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,619 | $31.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,583 | $37.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $95,753 | $46.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,607 | $48.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,285 | $51.58 |
Median Salary Position
21.91% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dallas
In Dallas, TX, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,666 (2026 est.). At $95,753, the local median is 21.91% above the national median of $78,542.
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At 40 hours/week in Dallas: You'd be above the median
How Dallas Police Officer Pay Compares
Dallas median: $95,753/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dallas Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $76,848 | +24.60% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +21.91% more |
Police Officers in Dallas, TX earn a median of $95,753 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.91% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 24.60% above the Texas state average of $76,848.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dallas has a cost of living 3.09% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dallas, TX has a cost-of-living index of 103.09 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $95,753 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $92,883 — a 3% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,770
2025 BLS Actual
$92,910
2026 Current Est.
$95,753
2019–2027 Growth
+37.5%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Dallas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,770 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,560 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,370 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,280 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,470 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,910 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,753 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,683 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dallas metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 29.5% from $71,770 (2019) to $92,910 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $98,683 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,913 (37.50%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dallas 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) | $64,619 – $78,583 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,583 – $95,753 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $95,753 – $100,607 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,607 – $107,285 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Dallas
The local job market for police officers is strong, with approximately 16,430 officers currently employed in the Dallas area. However, the cost of living index at 103.09 suggests some pressures on take-home pay, making it crucial for officers to navigate their financial options carefully. Employers that tend to offer the most competitive salaries include federal agencies like the FBI and DEA, as well as larger municipal police departments. The variance in salaries can be attributed to a variety of factors including agency type, overtime provisions, and special assignments such as SWAT or detective roles. To maximize income, officers should actively pursue educational incentives, consider the opportunities presented by different police agencies, and take advantage of shift differentials and contractual stipends. Understanding the dynamics of police officer pay in Dallas, TX is essential for enhancing one's earning potential over a career in law enforcement.
More salary data for Dallas, 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 $92,910 for police officersin the Dallas 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