Police Officer Salary

Davenport vs Sioux City: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

Davenport, IA
$70,648
$33.97/hr
Sioux City, IA
$81,356
$39.11/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDavenport, IASioux City, IA
Median Salary$70,648$81,356
Hourly Rate$33.97$39.11
Entry Level (P10)$48,933$51,211
25th Percentile$63,609$68,226
75th Percentile$81,428$88,796
Top Earner (P90)$94,094$88,796
Total Employed690220
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Davenport ($70,648) and Sioux City ($81,356) police officer salaries.DavenportSioux CityMedian Salary$70,648$81,356Entry Level (P10)$48,933$51,211Top Earner (P90)$94,094$88,796US Median $78,542

Verdict

Davenport and Sioux City are closely matched on overall police officer compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Davenport and Sioux City is $10,708 (15.16%). Sioux City's median is +3.58% 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,Sioux City spans $37,585. Davenport has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Davenport
P10 (Entry)$48,933
P25$63,609
Median$70,648
P75$81,428
P90 (Top)$94,094
Sioux City
P10 (Entry)$51,211
P25$68,226
Median$81,356
P75$88,796
P90 (Top)$88,796

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Sioux City ($94,103 effective) pays 18.65% more than Davenport ($79,309 effective).

Davenport
Nominal: $70,648
CoL Index: 89.079
Adjusted: $79,309
Sioux City
Nominal: $81,356
CoL Index: 86.454
Adjusted: $94,103

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Davenport if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($94,094)
  • Larger job market (690 employed)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Choose Sioux City if…

  • Higher median salary ($81,356/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $94,103)
  • 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 31.1% growth in Sioux City over the same period.

Davenport, IA

+12.3%

$61,050 (2019) → $68,550 (2025)

Sioux City, IA

+31.1%

$60,200 (2019) → $78,940 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Davenport or Sioux City?

Sioux City has a higher median police officer salary at $81,356/year, compared to Davenport at $70,648/year — a difference of $10,708 (15.16%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Davenport and Sioux City?

Davenport police officers earn $33.97/hr while Sioux City hygienists earn $39.11/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Davenport to Sioux City as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Davenport and Sioux City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Davenport = $79,309, Sioux City = $94,103), job availability (690 vs 220 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $48,933 in Davenport and $51,211 in Sioux City. The Sioux City 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