Police Officer Salary in Killeen, TX: $72,389 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Killeen, TX earns a median $72,389/year (≈ $34.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Killeen's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.1), that paycheck buys what $79,433 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.8% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For police officers in Killeen, TX, the 2026 median annual salary is projected at $72,389, standing slightly lower than the national median of $78,542. The salary range for officers spans from $51,880 at the 10th percentile to $92,218 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse compensation landscape driven by overtime opportunities and special detail assignments. These figures, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, highlight the economic benefits of overtime, which can significantly boost take-home pay for officers depending on departmental policies and the frequency of additional work available in the area. Given the local cost of living index of 91.132, which is below the national average, many officers may find their earnings stretched further, particularly when considering housing and daily expenses in Killeen.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,880 | $24.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,114 | $30.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $72,389 | $34.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,057 | $38.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,218 | $44.34 |
Median Salary Position
7.83% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Killeen
In Killeen, TX, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,338 (2026 est.). At $72,389, the local median is 7.83% below the national median of $78,542.
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At 40 hours/week in Killeen: You'd be above the median
How Killeen Police Officer Pay Compares
Killeen median: $72,389/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Killeen Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $76,846 | -5.80% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -7.83% less |
Police Officers in Killeen, TX earn a median of $72,389 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.83% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 5.80% below the Texas state average of $76,846.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Killeen has a cost of living 8.87% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Killeen, TX has a cost-of-living index of 91.132 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $72,389 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $79,433 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.73% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,590
2025 BLS Actual
$70,240
2026 Current Est.
$72,389
2019–2027 Growth
+34.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Killeen (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,590 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,920 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,670 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,740 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,320 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,620 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,240 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,389 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,604 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Killeen metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 26.4% from $55,590 (2019) to $70,240 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,604 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,014 (34.20%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Killeen 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) | $51,880 – $64,114 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,114 – $72,389 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $72,389 – $79,057 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,057 – $92,218 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Killeen
The local job market employs approximately 840 police officers, indicating a steady demand for law enforcement personnel in Killeen. With a cost of living index at 91.132, the purchasing power for officers is relatively favorable when compared to other regions. Salaries vary across different agencies; for instance, federal law enforcement typically offers higher pay than state or municipal departments, reflecting the demand for specialized skills and the complexities involved in federal operations. Variations in compensation are often influenced by the type of agency, overtime structure, and additional assignment stipends such as for SWAT teams or detectives. To maximize earnings in Killeen, officers should consider seeking positions that offer educational incentives, union representation for better contracts, and opportunities for overtime assignments, which are essential strategies to enhance their police officer pay in Killeen, TX.
More salary data for Killeen, 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 $70,240 for police officersin the Killeen 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