Police Officer Hourly Pay in Burlington, IA: $36.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Burlington, IA runs $36.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $76,756 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Burlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $40.82 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,058 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Burlington, Iowa, police officers earn a median hourly rate of $36.91, which is slightly below the national median of $37.76. This rate provides a solid foundation for both full-time and part-time officers, particularly those working three days per week. For instance, part-time officers stationed on patrol, involved in report writing at police stations, or participating in court testimony, can find their earning potential flexible. Given the hourly pay range from $24.24 for entry-level officers to $52.61 for top earners, there are opportunities for substantial increases in pay based on experience and specialty. Estimates of these hourly rates are derived from overall annual salary data, ensuring that the figures align with the broader economic environment of public service work in Burlington.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($65,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.24 | $193.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.27 | $234.15 |
| Median (P50) | $36.91 | $295.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.11 | $368.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.61 | $420.90 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burlington
Based on $36.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.91/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burlington, IA can expect to earn approximately $76,764 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,287. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Burlington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burlington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,476.23 | $6,397 | $76,764 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $885.74 | $3,838 | $46,058 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $590.49 | $2,559 | $30,706 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Burlington) | $36.91 |
| Firefighter (National Avg) | $28.13 |
| Detective / Criminal Investigator (National Avg) | $45.86 |
| Correctional Officer (National Avg) | $25.24 |
| Security Guard (National Avg) | $17.32 |
Police Officers in Burlington, IA earn a median of $76,756 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.27% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 4.00% below the Iowa state average of $79,954.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.91/hr = $46,058/year (purchasing power: $50,950).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $76,764/year (purchasing power: $84,916).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.67/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.81/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.67/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.36/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.91/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.96/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.13/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.81/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.04/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Burlington grew 20.7% from $29.67/hr (2019) to $35.81/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.04/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem police officers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
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.
Working as an Hourly Police Officer in Burlington
When looking at actual earning potential, part-time police work can yield a different financial outlook compared to full-time employment. An officer working three days a week typically takes home significantly less annually than their full-time counterparts, highlighting the impact of reduced hours on yearly earnings. Moreover, for per diem police officers in Burlington, opportunities for additional income through overtime exist, especially in court appearances and special assignments that can effectively raise hourly earnings by 20-50%. Different employment types in Burlington, such as city police departments and sheriff's offices, can also lead to varying pay rates. While some officers may accept a lower hourly pay in exchange for health benefits, others may opt for roles that offer a higher wage without benefits. Understanding this trade-off is vital for navigating these choices effectively. As hourly workers, leveraging specific negotiation strategies centered around skill sets and experience can make a significant difference in final pay rates.
More salary data for Burlington, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for police officers in Burlington. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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