Police Officer Salary

Davenport vs Marshalltown: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

Davenport, IA
$70,648
$33.97/hr
Marshalltown, IA
$76,136
$36.61/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDavenport, IAMarshalltown, IA
Median Salary$70,648$76,136
Hourly Rate$33.97$36.61
Entry Level (P10)$48,933$50,082
25th Percentile$63,609$58,719
75th Percentile$81,428$96,049
Top Earner (P90)$94,094$110,665
Total Employed6908
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Davenport ($70,648) and Marshalltown ($76,136) police officer salaries.DavenportMarshalltownMedian Salary$70,648$76,136Entry Level (P10)$48,933$50,082Top Earner (P90)$94,094$110,665US Median $78,542

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Davenport and Marshalltown is $5,488 (7.77%). Marshalltown's median is -3.06% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Davenport spans $45,161,Marshalltown spans $60,583. Marshalltown has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

Davenport
P10 (Entry)$48,933
P25$63,609
Median$70,648
P75$81,428
P90 (Top)$94,094
Marshalltown
P10 (Entry)$50,082
P25$58,719
Median$76,136
P75$96,049
P90 (Top)$110,665

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Marshalltown ($84,221 effective) pays 6.19% more than Davenport ($79,309 effective).

Davenport
Nominal: $70,648
CoL Index: 89.079
Adjusted: $79,309
Marshalltown
Nominal: $76,136
CoL Index: 90.4
Adjusted: $84,221

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Davenport if…

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

Choose Marshalltown if…

  • Higher median salary ($76,136/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($110,665)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $84,221)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Davenport grew 12.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 32.0% growth in Marshalltown over the same period.

Davenport, IA

+12.3%

$61,050 (2019) → $68,550 (2025)

Marshalltown, IA

+32.0%

$55,964 (2024) → $73,875 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Davenport or Marshalltown?

Marshalltown has a higher median police officer salary at $76,136/year, compared to Davenport at $70,648/year — a difference of $5,488 (7.77%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Davenport and Marshalltown?

Davenport police officers earn $33.97/hr while Marshalltown hygienists earn $36.61/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Davenport and Marshalltown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Davenport = $79,309, Marshalltown = $84,221), job availability (690 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $48,933 in Davenport and $50,082 in Marshalltown. The Marshalltown 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