Become a Cop >> Browse Articles >> Career Resources
Top 25 Cities for Police Officers
Photo: Franco Folini | CreativeCommons
Kevin Powers, PoliceLink.com
#2. San Antonio, TX:
Population: 1,328,984
City's Average Salary: $34,610
Starting Salary for Police Officers: $44,136
Cost of Living Rank (in a 1-100 list): 29
Average Commute Time: 22.5 minutes
Job Growth Rank (in a list of 372 Highest Growth Cities): 20
Unemployment Rate: 6.0
The second largest city in Texas, San Antonio has one of the most solid salary to cost of living ratios in the country and has seen the lowest change in unemployment rate since the onset of the recession. Its projected job growth is extremely promising and consistently high-performing, with plenty of opportunity in the education, health care, manufacturing, government and service sectors. Famous for its River Walk, the Alamo and Tejano culture, San Antonio’s tourism also continues to thrive despite a down economy.
Next Page: City #1 >>
kma438
4 days ago
60 Comments
San Diego PD shouldn't be on this list. San Diego has traditionally paid their police officers less than all neighboring cities and is probably the lowest paid big city in CA. It's also expensive to live here, property is very expensive. Because San Diego is a city that borders Mexico its local politicans will support tough police enforcement. But to keep taxes low, they will not financially support it's police force with higher wages or benefits. The privatizing of some police services is also being considered for this city which means a loss of more police jobs.
SSGTD
10 days ago
34 Comments
OK WHY is Dallas Police Dept(Dallas, TX) not on here, Where is Tampa Police Dept(Tampa, FL), Plano Police(Dallas, TX) mmmmmm bad list
rhile772
21 days ago
32 Comments
yea va beach
police10
21 days ago
6 Comments
Austin, Tx
kyle_emt
about 1 month ago
38 Comments
#12. Virginia Beach, VA?? That's exactly where I want to apply :D
Charles333
about 1 month ago
18 Comments
Cincinnati really? Didn't they just lay off over 100 officers?
cgregor12
about 1 month ago
2574 Comments
This list is horrible!! some of these departments are going down hill and shouldn't even be ranked in the top 100!! (San Diego PD) There are some agencies that should have been here....(Las Vegas Metro) (Fort Worth PD)
saltwaterjoe
about 1 month ago
16 Comments
Go Salt Lake Go!
HEYSARGE
about 1 month ago
12064 Comments
Ok......I stopped at the first one which is # 25...Come on, if anyone knows San Diego, the cops are leaving by the hand full each month, the pension scandal is still on going and is in court, the reduced pay and benefits are breath taking and the mayor ( Former Police Chief Of SDPD ) is just not making sound decisions and the current Police Chief is just doing his time and not making waves about anything ( Transplant from another Ca. City ).............Enough said!
steppe2223
about 1 month ago
10 Comments
Charlotte just added 125 new police posistions in July. We are still hireing and have a new out of state lateral class. Come on down.
Fleminpj
2 months ago
182 Comments
haha, so outside of Texas, how many of these places are actually hiring, and not laying off veteran officers?
girlinsac
2 months ago
24 Comments
I am shocked to see who is #1, application process is easy to find out just go to the website of the one you sre interested in. Also they usually have a recruit line you can ask questions.
jennieveamore
2 months ago
6 Comments
if anyone has information on how to start the process please advise
MIMI
3 months ago
272 Comments
Yes texas not just Austin there are may more cities!
torribishop
4 months ago
4 Comments
I have tried numerous times to get into becoming an police officer. I have been turned down three times. There is no way to prepare for the test. How do I get mentally prepared for these examination?