Police Officer Salary in San Antonio, TX: $76,120 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in San Antonio, TX earns a median $76,120/year (≈ $36.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in San Antonio's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 94.7), that paycheck buys what $80,367 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In San Antonio, TX, police officers find themselves earning a median annual salary of $76,120, which is slightly below the projected national average of $78,542 for 2026. The salary spectrum for police officers in the city ranges from $59,167 at the lower end (P10) to $97,618 at the higher end (P90). These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflecting the compensation landscape pertinent to the local law enforcement context. The opportunity for overtime, particularly through mandatory court appearances and special details, can significantly enhance earning potential, effectively increasing overall pay for many officers. This dynamic helps inform the full salary picture for police officer positions in San Antonio, illustrating the economic realities of working in law enforcement within the city.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,167 | $28.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,248 | $29.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,120 | $36.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,336 | $37.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,618 | $46.93 |
Median Salary Position
3.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Antonio
In San Antonio, TX, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,451 (2026 est.). At $76,120, the local median is 3.08% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Antonio: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Antonio Police Officer Pay Compares
San Antonio median: $76,120/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Antonio Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $76,889 | -1.00% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -3.08% less |
Police Officers in San Antonio, TX earn a median of $76,120 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.08% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 1.00% below the Texas state average of $76,889.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Antonio has a cost of living 5.28% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Antonio, TX has a cost-of-living index of 94.716 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $76,120 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $80,367 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.58% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,050
2025 BLS Actual
$73,860
2026 Current Est.
$76,120
2019–2027 Growth
+35.1%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in San Antonio (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,050 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,890 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,970 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,210 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,920 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,490 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,120 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,449 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Antonio metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 27.2% from $58,050 (2019) to $73,860 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,449 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,399 (35.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Antonio 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) | $59,167 – $62,248 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,248 – $76,120 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,120 – $77,336 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,336 – $97,618 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in San Antonio
The local job market features approximately 5,130 employed police officers in San Antonio, indicating a healthy demand for law enforcement professionals. The cost of living index stands at 94.716, which is below the national average, meaning officers’ take-home pay may stretch further than in higher-cost areas. Among the top-paying employers in the region, municipal police departments typically offer competitive salaries, but federal law enforcement agencies can provide even more lucrative options, making them appealing for career advancement. Variance in pay is largely driven by several factors, including the type of agency and various compensation structures such as union contracts, shift differentials, specialty assignments, and educational incentives. Officers looking to maximize their earnings in San Antonio can benefit from pursuing advanced training, gaining experience in specialized units, and taking advantage of overtime opportunities.
More salary data for San Antonio, 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 $73,860 for police officersin the San Antonio 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