Police Officer Salary in Little Elm, TX: $74,573 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Little Elm, TX earns a median $74,573/year (≈ $35.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Little Elm's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $77,680 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $74,573 for police officers in Little Elm, Texas, the compensation reflects a competitive yet nuanced landscape in law enforcement. The salary range stretches from $45,177 at the lower end to $106,658 at the higher end, highlighting the variances in experience and specific roles within the department. These figures, derived from state-level BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, provide valuable insight into the economic environment for law enforcement professionals in 2026. Given Little Elm's growth and the demand for qualified personnel, the local job market is increasingly appealing for both aspiring officers and those considering a transition to this Texas community.
About the Little Elm Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,177 | $21.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,852 | $29.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,573 | $35.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,794 | $44.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,658 | $51.28 |
Median Salary Position
5.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Little Elm
In Little Elm, TX, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,481 (2026 est.). At $74,573, the local median is 5.05% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Little Elm: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Little Elm Police Officer Pay Compares
Little Elm median: $74,573/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Little Elm Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $76,880 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -5.05% less |
Police Officers in Little Elm, TX earn a median of $74,573 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.05% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 3.00% below the Texas state average of $76,880.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Little Elm 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.
Little Elm, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $74,573 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $77,680 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,959
2025 BLS Actual
$72,359
2026 Current Est.
$74,573
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Little Elm (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,959 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,228 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,345 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,466 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,628 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,071 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,359 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,573 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,855 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Little Elm metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $59,959 (2019) to $72,359 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,855 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,896 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Little Elm 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) | $45,177 – $60,852 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,852 – $74,573 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,573 – $92,794 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,794 – $106,658 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Little Elm
Analyzing the local job market, there are currently 12 police officers employed in Little Elm, indicating a tightly-knit community where each officer's role can significantly impact their effectiveness and collective outcomes. With a cost-of-living index at 96, police officer pay in Little Elm TX effectively translates to a reasonable take-home purchasing power, even when set against the national median. Among the various employers, municipal police departments typically offer the most stable positions, unlike federal agencies that tend to command higher salaries, thus making paths in those directions competitive and attractive. Factors contributing to the divergent salaries here include the range of responsibilities between urban and rural forces, special unit assignments, and educational enhancement benefits. Officers aiming to maximize their pay should consider pursuing specializations, overtime opportunities, and higher educational qualifications which can lead to increased compensation, thereby optimizing their long-term career trajectory.
More salary data for Little Elm, 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 $72,359 for police officersin the Little Elm 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 Little Elm 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