Police Officer Salary

Bettendorf vs Davenport: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Bettendorf, IA and Davenport, IA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bettendorf, IA
$76,371
$36.72/hr
Davenport, IA
$70,648
$33.97/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBettendorf, IADavenport, IA
Median Salary$76,371$70,648
Hourly Rate$36.72$33.97
Entry Level (P10)$50,619$48,933
25th Percentile$60,882$63,609
75th Percentile$97,754$81,428
Top Earner (P90)$114,160$94,094
Total Employed10690
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bettendorf ($76,371) and Davenport ($70,648) police officer salaries.BettendorfDavenportMedian Salary$76,371$70,648Entry Level (P10)$50,619$48,933Top Earner (P90)$114,160$94,094US Median $78,542

Verdict

Bettendorf, IA offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Davenport.

The salary gap between Bettendorf and Davenport is $5,723 (8.10%). Bettendorf's median is -2.76% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bettendorf spans $63,541,Davenport spans $45,161. Bettendorf has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bettendorf
P10 (Entry)$50,619
P25$60,882
Median$76,371
P75$97,754
P90 (Top)$114,160
Davenport
P10 (Entry)$48,933
P25$63,609
Median$70,648
P75$81,428
P90 (Top)$94,094

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bettendorf ($84,481 effective) pays 6.52% more than Davenport ($79,309 effective).

Bettendorf
Nominal: $76,371
CoL Index: 90.4
Adjusted: $84,481
Davenport
Nominal: $70,648
CoL Index: 89.079
Adjusted: $79,309

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bettendorf if…

  • Higher median salary ($76,371/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($114,160)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $84,481)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Choose Davenport if…

  • Larger job market (690 employed)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Bettendorf grew 32.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 12.3% growth in Davenport over the same period.

Bettendorf, IA

+32.0%

$56,138 (2024) → $74,103 (2025)

Davenport, IA

+12.3%

$61,050 (2019) → $68,550 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Bettendorf or Davenport?

Bettendorf has a higher median police officer salary at $76,371/year, compared to Davenport at $70,648/year — a difference of $5,723 (8.10%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bettendorf and Davenport?

Bettendorf police officers earn $36.72/hr while Davenport hygienists earn $33.97/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bettendorf to Davenport as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bettendorf and Davenport. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bettendorf = $84,481, Davenport = $79,309), job availability (10 vs 690 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Bettendorf vs Davenport?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $50,619 in Bettendorf and $48,933 in Davenport. The Bettendorf area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

Written by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in law enforcement. They specialize in community policing strategies. Jordan works with a municipal police department.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.06% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice, a licensed police officer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov