June 18, 2025
June 18th, 2025 If you’re considering a law enforcement career in North Texas, salary is likely a major factor in your decision. The latest data highlights the top 10 highest-paid police departments in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex based on entry salary, top-out salary, and projected 20-year earnings. These figures offer valuable insight for recruits, lateral officers, and anyone comparing compensation across departments. Highlights from the 2025 Rankings: 1. Plano Police Department Entry Salary: $86,922 Top-Out Salary: $111,254 20-Year Total: $2,147,237 Plano PD leads the pack with the highest total projected earnings over 20 years and one of the most competitive top-out salaries in the region. 2. Garland Police Department Entry Salary: $82,482 Top-Out Salary: $110,733 20-Year Total: $2,102,429 3. Irving Police Department Entry Salary: $82,308 Top-Out Salary: $110,256 20-Year Total: $2,103,336 Noteworthy Mentions: Allen PD also ranks high with a strong entry ($85,465) and top-out salary ($110,244), totaling over $2.13M over 20 years. McKinney PD offers $85,925 starting, topping out at nearly $110K, landing over $2.08M in total pay. Denton, Carrollton, Arlington, and Grand Prairie PDs all surpass the $2M mark in 20-year earnings. Lower on the List: Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) has the lowest entry salary on the list ($70,000), but a competitive top-out ($108,593), totaling nearly $1.89M over 20 years. What This Means for Officers This chart makes it clear that DFW-area departments offer strong financial incentives for officers, with several surpassing the $2 million mark in career earnings. Factors like take-home vehicles, retirement plans, and benefits will vary, but base salaries and top-out potential remain crucial considerations. Whether you're a new recruit or a seasoned officer looking to transfer, this breakdown helps highlight where your service could be most financially rewarding.