During a May 21 meeting, Houston City Council members unanimously approved the Houston Police Officers’ Union’s contract to raise police salaries by 36.5% by 2030.

The specifics

HPD officers’ currently have a salary of $62,574, which is lower than other neighboring cities such as Jersey Village and Austin, which pay salaries at $66,000 and $70,644, respectively.

The new contract was approved by 97% of Houston Police Officers’ Union members, according to union president Douglas Griffith. With the new contract, police officers’ salaries will see raises totaling 36.5% over the next five years, according to documents shown to Community Impact by the city.

This is how the salary increase is broken down:
  • 10% increase: July 2025
  • 8% increase: July 2026
  • 6% increase: July 2027
  • 6% increase: July 2028
  • 6.5% increase: July 2029
Additionally, a first-year officer will now have a base salary of $75,000.


The projections

Increases were also made to patrol pay:
  • From $600 to $1,600 annually: Two years seniority
  • From $1,900 to $2,400 annually: Four years seniority
  • From $2,200 to $3,000 annually: Six years seniority
Officers who work shifts outside of regular hours, such as overnight or weekend shifts, also received raises:
  • From $1,820 to $2,600 annually: Shifts that start at noon or later
  • From $1,820 to $2,600 annually: Weekend pay
The contract is expected to cost the city $67 million in fiscal year 2026, and eventually $832 million over the next five years, according to a May 8 presentation on the contract.

What they’re saying

Griffith said this contract will help recruit and retain more police officers for the city of Houston, allowing a competitive salary that rivals other Texas cities.


“The members are excited,” Griffith said. “They feel like they are appreciated. Our officers are motivated, and the whole reason we have this contract has nothing to do with me; it has to do with the hard-working members that go out there every single day.”

Police Chief Noe Diaz said he is confident that the agreement will also attract motivated, service-driven individuals.

“This agreement will position the Houston Police Department for long-term success by providing a strong, competitive edge in recruiting top tier talent,” Diaz said.

Council member Mary Nan Huffman said she is excited about this contract as it will allow officers to consider staying in Houston.


“Nobody becomes a police officer because they want to miss every birthday or anniversary or holiday,” Huffman said. “They do it because it's a passion, and I'm so excited to support this contract, because it really does reflect how much we value our police officers here in the city of Houston.”