Entry-Level Police Officer Salary in Burlington, IA: $50,409 (2026)
Quick Answer:New police officers entering the Burlington, IA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $50,409 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 33-3051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Burlington's local price level (BEA RPP 90.4 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $55,762 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($76,756) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Aspiring police officers in Burlington, Iowa, can expect to see starting salaries around $50,409 in 2026 as they enter the workforce. This figure represents the entry-level position within the overall median annual salary of $76,756 for police officers in the city, which highlights a notable gap that new graduates should keep in mind. With a structured path ahead, entry-level officers have the potential to grow into salaries reaching $60,881 at the 25th percentile and toward the median within their first three to five years. The positive growth trajectory of 3.06% annually suggests that Burlington is currently a viable market for newly minted police officers, especially for those willing to engage in ongoing training and develop their skills beyond initial certification.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($65,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Burlington
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
Entry-level police officers in Burlington, IA typically start between $50,409 and $60,881 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $59,023 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $76,756 — 2.27% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average law enforcement program cost in Iowa of $5,000 represents just 9.92% of the starting police officer pay ($50,409/year) in Burlington. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Cost estimates cover police academy tuition (often paid by hiring department), physical/psychological testing fees, and optional associate degree in criminal justice. Many large departments sponsor recruits and pay them during academy training.
PO Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Burlington
- 1Research the Burlington market: entry-level police officer pay ranges from $50,409 to $60,881, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the law enforcement field — employers in IA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Burlington, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Burlington for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Burlington's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Police Officer Compensation Range
The police officer wage spread in Burlington is $59,023 ( 117.09%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $50,409, experienced hygienists can earn up to $109,432.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$38,051
2025 BLS Actual
$48,912
2026 Current Est.
$50,409
2019–2027 Growth
+36.5%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,051 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,554 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,376 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,757 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,534 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,117 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,912 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,409 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,951 | Projected |
Entry-level police officer compensation (10th percentile) in Burlington, IA grew 28.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $38,051 in 2019 to $48,912 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $51,951. New graduates entering the Burlington job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.06% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your law enforcement Career in Burlington
Police departments across Burlington primarily recruit new graduates who have completed the state Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) academy, which generally lasts 6 to 9 months. Job opportunities exist within municipal police departments as well as state police and highway patrol divisions, which often follow a structured hiring process. New officers can also consider positions with transit or university campus police as strategic stepping stones. While a high school diploma is the minimum requirement, credentials such as a bachelor's in criminal justice and specialized training can further enhance entry level police officer salary Burlington and facilitate advancement. Given the rural context of Iowa, salary growth expectations in the first three years are moderate, but those committed to continuing education and skill development may find more lucrative opportunities within local municipalities or eventually transition into federal law enforcement positions.
More salary data for Burlington, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for police officers in Burlington in 2026?
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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
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new law enforcement graduates. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Burlington. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Burlington is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for police officers (SOC 33-3051).
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