Davenport vs West Des Moines: Police Officer Salary (2026)
Compare police officer salaries between Davenport, IA and West Des Moines, IA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Davenport, IA | West Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $70,648 | $83,224▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $33.97 | $40.01▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,933 | $53,795▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $63,609 | $63,736▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $81,428 | $106,527▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $94,094 | $125,576▲ |
| Total Employed | 690▲ | 16 |
Verdict
West Des Moines, IA offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Davenport.
The salary gap between Davenport and West Des Moines is $12,576 (17.80%). West Des Moines's median is +5.96% 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,West Des Moines spans $71,781. West Des Moines has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, West Des Moines ($92,062 effective) pays 16.08% more than Davenport ($79,309 effective).
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 West Des Moines if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($83,224/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($125,576)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $92,062)
- ✓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 40.6% growth in West Des Moines over the same period.
Davenport, IA
$61,050 (2019) → $68,550 (2025)
West Des Moines, IA
$57,421 (2024) → $80,753 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Davenport, IA
West Des Moines, IA
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays police officers more: Davenport or West Des Moines?
What is the hourly rate difference between Davenport and West Des Moines?
Should I relocate from Davenport to West Des Moines as a police officer?
What do entry-level police officers earn in Davenport vs West Des Moines?
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