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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