Police Officer Salary in El Paso, TX: $78,738 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in El Paso, TX earns a median $78,738/year (≈ $37.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in El Paso's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.9), that paycheck buys what $87,572 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, police officers in El Paso, TX, can expect a median annual salary around $78,738, reflecting a competitive position when compared to the national median of $78,542. The salary figures indicate variability, with a range from $48,603 at the 10th percentile to as much as $98,494 at the 90th percentile, according to estimates derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. The potential for overtime pay significantly contributes to overall earnings for officers, as mandatory court appearances and special details often result in additional compensation. This aspect of police officer pay in El Paso highlights the economics of the job, where officers can enhance their take-home pay through various assignments beyond standard shifts.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,603 | $23.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,176 | $29.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,738 | $37.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,494 | $47.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,494 | $47.36 |
Median Salary Position
0.25% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in El Paso
In El Paso, TX, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,891 (2026 est.). At $78,738, the local median is 0.25% above the national median of $78,542.
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At 40 hours/week in El Paso: You'd be above the median
How El Paso Police Officer Pay Compares
El Paso median: $78,738/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | El Paso Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $76,817 | +2.50% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +0.25% more |
Police Officers in El Paso, TX earn a median of $78,738 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.25% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 2.50% above the Texas state average of $76,817.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
El Paso has a cost of living 10.09% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
El Paso, TX has a cost-of-living index of 89.912 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $78,738 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $87,572 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.22% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,260
2025 BLS Actual
$76,400
2026 Current Est.
$78,738
2019–2027 Growth
+26.3%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in El Paso (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,870 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,650 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,290 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,300 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,400 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,738 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,147 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the El Paso metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 18.9% from $64,260 (2019) to $76,400 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,147 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,887 (26.28%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the El Paso 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) | $48,603 – $61,176 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,176 – $78,738 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,738 – $98,494 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,494 – $98,494 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in El Paso
With approximately 1,700 police officers actively serving in El Paso, the local labor market demonstrates a solid demand for law enforcement professionals. Given the city's cost-of-living index of 89.912, residents find that their take-home purchasing power is enhanced relative to larger urban centers where costs often exceed the national average. Within El Paso, municipal police departments typically offer the most competitive salaries compared to county sheriff's offices or state police; these variations stem largely from agency type, union contracts, and available overtime. Officers seeking to maximize their pay should consider pursuing specialized unit assignments and additional educational qualifications, as many departments offer financial incentives for advanced training. Understanding the nuances of overtime and supplemental pay through roles like detectives or K-9 handlers also drive compensation potential in this dynamic job market.
More salary data for El Paso, 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 $76,400 for police officersin the El Paso 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