State guide · police pay scales
Texas police payStarting and top-step pay by department
In Texas, median starting base pay is $78,358 across 9 departments and median top-step pay is $102,304 across 9, from official pay schedules.
Starting pay: $78,358 (median of 9 departments). Top step: $102,304 (median of 9 departments).
Texas departments compared
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| Austin Police Department | City police | $78,627 | $143,578 | 23 | Not in our data |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plano Police Department | City police | $96,108 | $121,305 | 5 | 2027 |
| Arlington Police Department | City police | $90,499 | $115,540 | 20 | Not in our data |
| Fort Worth Police Department | City police | $78,358 | $109,857 | 14 | FY 2026 |
| Dallas Police Department | City police | $81,232 | $102,304 | 9 | 2026 |
| Texas Department of Public Safety | State police | $65,851 | $98,085 | 20 | FY 2026-27 |
| San Antonio Police Department Limited data | City police | $58,452 | $79,620 | Not in our data | Not in our data |
| Corpus Christi Police Department | City police | $64,380 | $78,732 | 3.5 | Not in our data |
| El Paso Police Department Limited data | City police | $56,791 | $65,743 | Not in our data | FY 2026 |
Texas: starting vs top-step pay
View chart data
| Department | Start | Top step |
|---|---|---|
| Austin Police Department | $78,627 | $143,578 |
| Plano Police Department | $96,108 | $121,305 |
| Arlington Police Department | $90,499 | $115,540 |
| Fort Worth Police Department | $78,358 | $109,857 |
| Dallas Police Department | $81,232 | $102,304 |
| Texas Department of Public Safety | $65,851 | $98,085 |
| San Antonio Police Department | $58,452 | $79,620 |
| Corpus Christi Police Department | $64,380 | $78,732 |
| El Paso Police Department | $56,791 | $65,743 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do police officers make in Texas?
In Texas, median starting base pay is $78,358 across 9 departments and median top-step pay is $102,304 across 9, from official pay schedules. Overtime, longevity and incentive pay are extra.
Which Texas police agency pays the most?
Of the departments in this guide, Austin Police Department has the highest top-step base pay at $143,578.
What does the federal wage survey say about Texas police pay?
The BLS May 2025 survey puts the median annual wage for all police and sheriff’s patrol officers in Texas at $75,900. That estimate covers every agency and experience level, so it differs from department pay schedules.
Sources and last checked
- Austin Police Recruiting: Pay & Benefits · Austin Police Department
- City of Plano 2026-2027 Civil Service Compensation Plan (Police), Effective 10/12/2026 · Plano Police Department
- City of Arlington - Police Employee Benefits · Arlington Police Department
- FY 2026 Police Pay Plan (City of Fort Worth HR Department, FY25-28 police pay table) · Fort Worth Police Department
- Fort Worth Police Department: official source page · Fort Worth Police Department
- City of Dallas Uniformed Police Salary Schedule, Effective January 1, 2026 (Attachment B) · Dallas Police Department
- State Auditor's Office Salary Schedule C (GAA), Effective Sept 1, 2025 - Aug 31, 2027 · Texas Department of Public Safety
- Texas Department of Public Safety: official source page · Texas Department of Public Safety
- SAPD Pay Scales (City of San Antonio) · San Antonio Police Department
- Pay & Benefits - CCPD Careers; Salaries (Effective April 1 2026) · Corpus Christi Police Department
- Corpus Christi Police Department: official source page · Corpus Christi Police Department
- City of El Paso Police Department Wage Scale, first pay period after September 1, 2025 · El Paso Police Department
- BLS OEWS: Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers · U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
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