Austin, Texas — the state capital and one of the largest cities in the United States — is home to nearly one million residents.1 The Austin Police Department (APD) employs approximately 1,470 sworn officers dedicated to keeping the city safe.2 Men and women who want to join the APD will find information on the application, selection, and training process below.

Austin Police Officer Requirements

To be eligible for the position of police cadet, applicants must meet the following minimum qualifications:

  • Be at least 20.5 years of age by the start of the academy
  • Be a US citizen, born or naturalized
  • Hold a valid driver’s license
  • Be able to read, write, and speak English
  • Hold a high school diploma or GED, plus one of the following: at least 12 semester hours of college credit from an accredited institution with a minimum 2.0 GPA; two years of full-time active military service with an honorable discharge; or 24 months of full-time work experience within the last 36 months

Candidates begin by submitting an online application. Those who pass an initial intake review advance to Phase I Testing — a one-day event that includes a written exam (minimum passing score of 70), a physical fitness evaluation, and completion of required forms and questionnaires. The physical fitness test consists of maximum push-ups in three minutes, maximum sit-ups in one minute, and a 1.5-mile timed run. Candidates must also submit a completed Background History Statement within seven days of the scheduling notice. Applicants who clear Phase I move into a background investigation, after which they are invited to Phase II — a series of in-person evaluations including a psychological interview, an oral board interview before a panel of APD officers, a polygraph examination, and a medical assessment with drug screening. Candidates who successfully complete all stages receive a conditional offer of employment, followed by a mandatory orientation session approximately three to five weeks before the academy start date.

For more information on the steps involved in becoming a police officer, see 10 Steps to Becoming a Police Officer on our home page. To apply or review full process details, visit the Austin Police Department Recruiting page.

Austin Police Department Training Academy

The APD Training Academy runs approximately eight months, with the department holding two to three academy classes each year.3 Training takes place Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with some evening and weekend sessions required depending on the curriculum. The program covers three major areas: physical training, academic coursework, and skills instruction. Cadets must maintain an 80% average across both physical and written assessments throughout the program to graduate. Upon completing the academy, newly appointed officers enter a 12-week field training program with a certified field training officer before receiving a permanent patrol shift assignment.3

Salary, Benefits, and Jobs Outlook

APD cadets earn a salary at a rate of $60,000 per year during the academy.3 Upon graduation and appointment as a sworn officer, base pay follows the schedule below.

Service MilestoneAnnual Base Salary
Upon graduation$78,627
1 year after graduation$92,647
2 years after graduation$106,344
6 years after graduation$113,788
10 years after graduation$121,754
14 years after graduation$130,276
16 years after graduation$139,396
23 years after graduation$143,578

Officers may qualify for several forms of incentive pay in addition to base salary. Bilingual or ASL-certified officers receive $2,400 per year. Field training officers receive $4,507 per year. Education incentive pay ranges from $1,200 per year for an associate’s degree or 60 hours of college credit, to $2,640 for a bachelor’s degree, and $3,600 for a master’s degree. Officers who earn a TCOLE Master Peace Officer Certificate receive $1,800 per year. Shift differential pay for evening or night shifts adds $3,600–$4,200 annually, and longevity pay accumulates at $107 per year of service for up to 25 years.3

Benefits include vacation and sick leave (each accruing at 6.25 hours per pay period), holiday leave, and medical and dental benefit options. Officers are enrolled in the Austin Police Retirement System, which requires a minimum of 25 years of service and age 50 to qualify for a pension. Retirement pay is calculated at a 2.5% multiplier per year of service — for example, 25 years of service yields 62.5% of base salary, 27 years yields 67.5%, and 30 years yields 75%.3

Texas employment of police and sheriff’s patrol officers is projected to grow 11% from 2022 to 2032, with approximately 5,460 new positions added each year on average, according to Projections Central.4 The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a mean annual wage of $84,590 for law enforcement officers in the Austin metro area as of May 2024.5 Find current APD job listings on our jobs board.

Career Advancement at the Austin Police Department

All APD officers begin their careers in patrol. Strong performance opens pathways to increased responsibility and transfer to one of more than 50 specialized units. Specialty assignments include the Air Enforcement Team, Bomb Squad, Motorcycle Unit, Metro-Tactical Unit, Special Response Team, Homeland Defense Team, and Intelligence Unit, among many others.

After four years of service, patrol officers become eligible to compete for promotion to the detective rank by passing the Civil Service examination. Detective assignments span a wide range of investigative functions, including the Homicide Unit, Narcotics Conspiracy Unit, Gang Suppression Unit, and Sex Offender Unit. The APD also offers promotion through the command ranks. The salary ranges below reflect current base pay by rank, not including overtime or incentive pay.3

RankAnnual Base Salary Range
Police Officer$78,627–$143,578
Corporal / Detective$115,915–$156,500
Sergeant$135,192–$170,585
Lieutenant$155,471–$196,172
Commander$192,355–$226,834

Cities and Police Departments Near Austin

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported approximately 4,280 police and sheriff’s patrol officers working in the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos metro area, with a mean annual wage of $84,590 as of May 2024.5 In addition to the APD, law enforcement professionals in the region can explore career opportunities with the Georgetown Police Department, the New Braunfels Police Department, the Round Rock Police Department, and the San Marcos Police Department. For more information about police departments across the state, see our Texas page.

Additional Resources

Austin Police Department Contact

References:
1. US Census Bureau, Vintage 2024 Population Estimates, Austin, TX: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/austincitytexas/PST045224
2. City of Austin, APD Operational Assessment (BerryDunn), February 2025: https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=446409
3. Austin Police Department, Pay & Benefits and Academy: https://www.austintexas.gov/police-recruiting/pay-benefits
4. Projections Central, Long-Term Occupational Projections, Texas (via O*NET): https://www.onetonline.org/link/localtrends/33-3051.00?st=TX
5. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024 OES, Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX: https://www.bls.gov/regions/southwest/news-release/occupationalemploymentandwages_austin.htm