DFW vs. TEX: A Look at the Highest Police Salaries in Texas
May 14th, 2025
When it comes to law enforcement salaries in Texas, not all cities are created equal. This graphic compares top police department salaries in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) metroplex and other major cities across Texas (TEX) reveals some surprising insights into how different departments compensate their officers.
DFW Departments Leading in Base Pay
DFW metroplex departments seem to offer some of the highest base salaries in the state. For instance:
- Plano PD tops the DFW list with salaries ranging from $86,922 to $111,254, though it takes 20 years for officers to reach the top pay tier. However, Plano PD does reach $107,754 within 3 years.
- Allen PD offers a close second at $85,465 to $110,244, with a much faster progression of only 5 years to top out—the fastest of all listed.
- Garland and Irving PDs also offer competitive pay, both exceeding $110,000 at the top end with 6-8 years to reach the peak salary.
This shows that departments in the DFW area may prioritize quicker career earnings potential—particularly attractive to those looking for faster financial growth.
TEX Departments: Higher Ceilings, Longer Roads
On the broader Texas side:
- Austin PD stands out with the highest top salary on the entire list at $118,132, though it takes 23 years to reach that level—the longest path among all departments.
- Odessa PD offers solid mid-range pay with a top salary of $108,070 after 16 years.
- Pasadena and Deer Park PDs sit slightly lower on the salary scale, both capping around $105K–106K, with 12-year paths to top out.
These figures suggest that while some Texas departments outside of DFW might offer higher long-term potential, the tradeoff is a significantly longer timeline to reach maximum pay.
What This Means for Officers and Departments
Choosing a department isn’t just about the starting or top salary—it's also about how long it takes to get there. Officers may weigh the immediate earning potential (shorter top-out timelines like in Allen
or Irving) against the possibility of higher long-term earnings (like Austin PD).
Moreover, cities with quicker top-out times may offer better short-term financial security, while others with a longer track may rely on pensions, promotion opportunities, or cost-of-living adjustments to bridge the gap.
Final Thoughts
The disparity in police salaries across Texas points to broader budget, staffing, and policy differences. For prospective officers, this comparison highlights how where you work can greatly affect not just your paycheck today—but your financial trajectory for decades to come.
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August 5th, 2025 The City of Duncanville, located in Dallas County, Texas, has a population of 39,203 and spans 11.21 square miles. Duncanville Police Department offers a competitive salary structure. The starting pay for a new officer is $71,757, with top-out pay reaching $96,390 in just six years. Lateral Transfer Opportunities Experienced officers are encouraged to apply. Those with five years of prior law enforcement experience are eligible for a lateral entry salary of $90,564. Sign-On Bonuses Duncanville PD currently offers two sign-on incentives: $2,500 for new officers without prior experience $20,000 for officers who already possess a valid TCOLE license
Big News: DFWPoliceSalaries.com Now Includes DFW Fire Salaries
August 1st, 2025 The Garland Police Department is proud to offer one of the most competitive salary packages in Texas, with officers earning up to $110,733 in just eight years . In addition to a strong base salary, Garland PD provides an array of benefits, including: Certification Pay Educational Pay Bilingual Pay Field Training Officer (FTO) Pay TMRS Retirement Plan Deferred Compensation with City Match We’re currently accepting applications from motivated individuals ready to serve and grow with a department that values professionalism, integrity, and community. 📞 For more information, contact a recruiter today at 972-205-2058 .
July 30th, 2025 One year can make a big difference—especially when it comes to police pay. This updated snapshot compares Dallas PD salaries from this time last year to today, and the numbers speak for themselves. In just 12 months, officers have seen meaningful increases in base salary across all ranks. These raises reflect a clear effort by the City of Dallas to remain competitive in a tough hiring and retention market. Incentive Pay Remains Strong While the base pay has increased, the department's incentive pay structure remains unchanged—but still highly competitive: Certification Pay: Up to $600/month Education Pay: Up to $300/month FTO Pay: $100/month Shift Differential Pay: 3.5% for evening shifts, 6.5% for night shifts These additional incentives can significantly increase an officer’s total compensation—especially when combined with the updated salary scale.
July 28th, 2025 The City of Euless is located in Tarrant County, Texas, with a population of 59,686 spread across 16.20 square miles. The starting salary for a Euless Police Department officer is $75,904, with a top salary of $100,954 after just five years of service. Euless PD also offers a $10,000 lateral transfer incentive for qualified experienced officers.
July 21st, 2025 The Town of Fairview is located in Collin County, Texas, and covers 8.89 square miles with a population of 10,790. A police officer in Fairview starts at $75,978 annually, with a top-out salary of $96,667, which includes a 3.5% lump sum upon reaching the top pay step. Additional Pay Incentives Certification Pay: Intermediate: $50/month Advanced: $100/month Master: $150/month Education Pay: Associate Degree: $50/month Bachelor’s Degree: $100/month Master’s Degree: $150/month Retirement & Benefits Fairview participates in the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) with a 7% employee contribution and a 2:1 employer match. In addition, the Town contributes to Social Security, offering officers a more robust retirement package compared to many agencies that opt out.
July 17th, 2025 If you're looking for a meaningful career in law enforcement with competitive pay, excellent benefits, and opportunities for growth, the Addison Police Department wants to hear from you. They are currently hiring future officers and offering exciting incentives for qualified applicants. 💼 Competitive Salary & Bonuses Whether you're just starting out or bringing years of experience to the table, Addison PD provides a robust salary structure: - Recruit Salary : $69,910/year - Police Officer : $80,491/year - Top-Out Pay : $103,289/year - Lateral Entry (Up to 9+ Years Experience) : Up to $100,775/year On top of that, new hires receive a $6,000 hiring bonus , with $3,000 paid upon hiring and another $3,000 upon completion of probation or field training. 🎖 Eligibility Paths You’re eligible to apply if you meet any of the following: - 2 years prior law enforcement experience - 60 hours of college credit - 3 years of active duty military service 📦 Outstanding Benefits Addison PD supports its officers with an extensive benefits package, including: - Health & life insurance - Paid holidays, sick leave, and vacation - 2:1 retirement matching (TMRS) - Tuition reimbursement and grade bonuses - On-site gym and shooting range - Military leave and uniform/equipment provision - Optional 457 Deferred Compensation Plan - Beards & tattoos allowed! 🌟 Additional Incentives - Longevity pay - Language and certification pay - Field Training Officer (FTO) pay - No Social Security deductions 🚨 Start Your Law Enforcement Journey Becoming part of the Addison Police Department means joining a dedicated, community-oriented team that values loyalty, courage, and integrity. With a welcoming environment and career development opportunities, this is your chance to make a difference in the Addison community and beyond. 📍 Apply Today Interested in learning more? Visit www.AddisonPoliceCareers.com , email policecareers@addisontx.gov , or call (972) 450-7170 to take your first step toward a fulfilling law enforcement career.
July 16th, 2025 The Dallas County Constable Office operates Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM, with weekends and all major holidays off. Officers are eligible for take-home vehicles as part of their benefits package. The starting salary for a deputy constable is $68,078, with a top-out salary of $92,995 after 10 years of service.
July 15th, 2025 Join the Farmers Branch Police Department – Now Hiring! Are you ready to serve and protect in a dynamic community? The Farmers Branch Police Department is looking for dedicated individuals to join our team! Competitive Pay & Growth Opportunities - Starting Salary: $81,981 - Top Pay: $106,757 - Lateral Entry: Up to $93,563 for experienced officers Additional Benefits - $5,000 Hiring Bonus - Education, certification, and language pay incentives - Strong community support and professional growth opportunities About Farmers Branch, TX Located in Dallas County , Farmers Branch is a thriving city spanning 12.04 square miles with a population of 36,917. Join a department that values excellence, integrity, and service! Farmers Branch Police Department
July 14th, 2025 The City of Sansom Park, located in Tarrant County, covers just 1.24 square miles and is home to a population of 5,323. Sansom Park Police Department offers a competitive starting salary of $61,152, with top pay reaching $79,781. Officers work an 84-hour, two-week schedule. Lateral hires with three or more years of experience are eligible to start at $64,886. The department provides a range of benefits, including: TMRS retirement 12-hour shifts for better work-life balance Load-bearing vests for improved comfort and safety A relaxed policy on beards and tattoos
July 9th, 2025 The Rockwall Police Department is on the lookout for new talent! Rockwall PD stands out as one of the highest-paying law enforcement agencies in the DFW area. In addition to competitive salaries, they offer various additional pay opportunities, including educational pay, certification pay, bilingual pay, and shift differentials. The starting salary at the Rockwall Police Department is $82,784, with the potential to reach up to $105,509! Lateral transfers are encouraged to apply! For more information, please reach out to a recruiter - https://rockwallpolice.org/career.asp
July 7th, 2025 The City of Ennis is located in Ellis County, Texas, and has a population of 23,686 spread across 33.06 square miles. The starting salary for a police officer with the Ennis Police Department is $67,218, with a top salary of $82,670 reached within six years. In addition to base pay, Ennis PD offers certification pay and bilingual pay, providing officers with opportunities to increase their total compensation.
July 1st, 2025 The Garland Police Department is proud to offer one of the most competitive salary packages in Texas, with officers earning up to $110,733 in just eight years . In addition to a strong base salary, Garland PD provides an array of benefits, including: Certification Pay Educational Pay Bilingual Pay Field Training Officer (FTO) Pay TMRS Retirement Plan Deferred Compensation with City Match We’re currently accepting applications from motivated individuals ready to serve and grow with a department that values professionalism, integrity, and community. 📞 For more information, contact a recruiter today at 972-205-2058 .