Police Officer Salary in Denton, TX: $76,419 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Denton, TX earns a median $76,419/year (≈ $36.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Denton's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $79,603 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officers in Denton, Texas, can expect a median annual salary of $76,419, slightly below the national median of $78,542. Compensation for officers in the area spans a full range from $48,121 at the lower end (P10) to $117,414 at the higher end (P90), reflecting a diverse employment landscape. These figures are local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for cost of living factors. Denton's job market for law enforcement positions is distinct, influenced by the type of agency, tenure, and the pension multiplier formula, which can significantly impact long-term retirement benefits. Understanding this financial framework is key for prospective officers evaluating their career in Denton.
About the Denton Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,121 | $23.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,372 | $28.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,419 | $36.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,816 | $47.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $117,414 | $56.45 |
Median Salary Position
2.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Denton
In Denton, TX, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,293 (2026 est.). At $76,419, the local median is 2.7% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Denton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Denton Police Officer Pay Compares
Denton median: $76,419/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Denton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $76,880 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -2.70% less |
Police Officers in Denton, TX earn a median of $76,419 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.70% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 0.60% below the Texas state average of $76,880.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Denton 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.
Denton, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $76,419 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $79,603 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,443
2025 BLS Actual
$74,150
2026 Current Est.
$76,419
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Denton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,443 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,768 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,864 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,012 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,326 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,731 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,150 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,419 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,757 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Denton metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $61,443 (2019) to $74,150 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,757 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,314 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Denton 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) | $48,121 – $59,372 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,372 – $76,419 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,419 – $97,816 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,816 – $117,414 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Denton
Currently, there are 33 police officers employed in Denton, TX, indicating a stable but relatively limited job market for new recruits. The cost of living index in the area stands at 96, suggesting lower living costs compared to the national average, which can enhance disposable income and purchasing power. Among local employers, municipal police departments typically offer the most competitive pay, with special considerations for overtime, educational incentives, and other allowances playing a significant role in overall compensation. Wage disparities within the field are driven by various factors, including agency type and special assignments. Officers motivated to maximize their earnings should consider seeking roles in federal law enforcement or pursuing advanced training and certifications, which can lead to higher positions and greater pay potential in Denton's competitive landscape.
More salary data for Denton, 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 $74,150 for police officersin the Denton 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 Denton 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