Police Officer Salary in Galveston, TX: $77,091 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Galveston, TX earns a median $77,091/year (≈ $37.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Galveston's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $80,303 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Galveston, Texas, the anticipated police officer salary for 2026 is projected at $77,091, slightly below the national median of $78,542. The salary spectrum ranges from $46,811 for the lowest 10% to as much as $115,458 for the top 10%, indicating a varied pay scale that allows for progression based on experience and specialization. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and adjusted for regional cost considerations, which reflect the local economic environment. Given the unique employment context within Galveston, police officer pay here is influenced not only by the agency type—federal, state, or municipal—but also by the specific departmental resources and union contracts that dictate compensation structures.
About the Galveston Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,811 | $22.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,522 | $28.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,091 | $37.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,650 | $47.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $115,458 | $55.51 |
Median Salary Position
1.85% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Galveston
In Galveston, TX, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $68,647 (2026 est.). At $77,091, the local median is 1.85% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Galveston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Galveston Police Officer Pay Compares
Galveston median: $77,091/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Galveston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $76,860 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | -1.85% less |
Police Officers in Galveston, TX earn a median of $77,091 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.85% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 0.30% above the Texas state average of $76,860.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Galveston 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.
Galveston, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $77,091 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $80,303 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,983
2025 BLS Actual
$74,802
2026 Current Est.
$77,091
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Galveston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,983 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,329 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,416 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,575 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,945 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,335 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,802 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,091 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,450 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Galveston metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $61,983 (2019) to $74,802 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,450 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,467 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Galveston 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) | $46,811 – $58,522 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,522 – $77,091 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,091 – $98,650 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,650 – $115,458 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Galveston
The local job market for police officers in Galveston is relatively limited, with only 10 officers currently employed in the area. This localized demand, along with a cost-of-living index of 96, suggests that officers can expect a lower purchasing power compared to major metropolitan areas. Among law enforcement employers, federal agencies typically offer the highest pay; however, municipal departments in Galveston also provide competitive salaries, especially with added overtime opportunities and special assignments like SWAT. The variation between low and high-end salaries can be attributed to several factors, including the type of agency, overtime stipulations, specialty assignments, and educational incentives like pay raises for advanced degrees. For those aiming to maximize their earnings in this market, pursuing additional training, such as POST certification, and seeking positions in specialized units could enhance compensation potential significantly.
More salary data for Galveston, 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 $74,802 for police officersin the Galveston 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 Galveston 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