Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers Salary in Texas (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Texas, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Texas Median
$75,900
per year
Hourly Rate
$36.49
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+-0% vs US median
US median $76,210
State Rank
#23 of 51
63,100 employed here

How much do Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers make in Texas?

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Texas take home a median of $75,900 annually — roughly $36.49 an hour — which runs 0% above the national median of $76,210.

Within Texas, entry-level pay starts around $51,240 while the top 10% make $98,350 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $61,240 and $93,800 a year.

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary range in Texas

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$51,240$24.63
25th percentile (early career)$61,240$29.44
50th percentile (median)$75,900$36.49
75th percentile (experienced)$93,800$45.10
90th percentile (top earners)$98,350$47.28

How Texas compares

Texas ranks 23rd out of 51 states and territories for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$118,880
2Washington$102,080
3Illinois$100,520
4Alaska$99,130
5Colorado$97,350

Working as Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Texas

Nationally, about 671,000 people work as Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Texas pay ($75,900) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers make in Texas?
The median Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in Texas is $75,900 per year, or about $36.49 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $51,240 at the entry level to $98,350 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Texas pay compare to the national average?
Texas pays Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers about 0% more than the national median of $76,210. Texas ranks 23rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Texas a good state for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Yes on pay — Texas pays above the national median for this occupation, at $75,900 a year. About 63,100 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers are employed in Texas. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Texas?
The highest-paying occupations in Texas include Cardiologist ($410,150), Neurologist ($360,640), Physician, Pathologists ($345,830), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.