Police Officer Salary in Port Arthur, TX: $82,704 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Port Arthur, TX earns a median $82,704/year (≈ $39.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Port Arthur's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $86,150 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Port Arthur, Texas, police officers can expect a median annual salary of $82,704 for 2026, reflecting a competitive edge compared to the national average of $78,542. The salary range for officers in this area varies significantly, from $51,585 at the lower end to $122,660 at the upper limit, emphasizing the diverse career paths available within law enforcement. These estimates are grounded in 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost of living conditions, revealing insights into the compensation dynamics of the region. With a growing demand for public safety professionals, Port Arthur's job market is poised for stability and potential increases in police officer compensation in coming years.
About the Port Arthur Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,585 | $24.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,743 | $30.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,704 | $39.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,920 | $50.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $122,660 | $58.97 |
Median Salary Position
5.30% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Port Arthur
In Port Arthur, TX, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,075 (2026 est.). At $82,704, the local median is 5.3% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Port Arthur: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Port Arthur Police Officer Pay Compares
Port Arthur median: $82,704/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Port Arthur Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $76,862 | +7.60% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +5.30% more |
Police Officers in Port Arthur, TX earn a median of $82,704 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.30% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 7.60% above the Texas state average of $76,862.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Port Arthur 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.
Port Arthur, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $82,704 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $86,150 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,496
2025 BLS Actual
$80,248
2026 Current Est.
$82,704
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Port Arthur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,496 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,013 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,033 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,276 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,110 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,997 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,248 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,704 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,234 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Port Arthur metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $66,496 (2019) to $80,248 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,234 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,738 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Port Arthur 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) | $51,585 – $63,743 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,743 – $82,704 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,704 – $104,920 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,920 – $122,660 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Port Arthur
The job market for police officers in Port Arthur is presently modest, with only 12 individuals employed in this field. Despite this limited number, the cost of living index of 96 suggests that salaries here can provide reasonable purchasing power relative to local expenses. Within the landscape of law enforcement, municipal police departments typically offer the highest salaries compared to state police, county sheriff’s offices, or federal entities, often reflecting the requirements of specific roles and unit assignments. Factors influencing the pay scale, such as agency type, educational bonuses, and shift differentials, play a significant role in determining how much do police officers make in Port Arthur. For those seeking to maximize earnings in this market, pursuing specialized training, engaging in overtime opportunities, and aiming for advancement within the department will be critical strategies.
More salary data for Port Arthur, 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 $80,248 for police officersin the Port Arthur 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 Port Arthur 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