Police Officer Hourly Pay in Cedar Falls, IA: $39.97 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Cedar Falls, IA runs $39.97 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $83,122 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Cedar Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $44.21 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,878 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cedar Falls, Iowa, police officer hourly pay is projected to be $39.97 in 2026, which is notably higher than the national median of $37.76. This rate allows for a viable income for those working part-time—specifically those on a 3-day/week schedule—who could expect to earn around $31,977 annually based on a 24-hour workweek. The hourly pay reflects a range that starts at $24.34 and goes up to $57.27 for more experienced officers. The variability in pay within the profession across different environments—whether in patrol cars during routine beats, at the booking desk, or engaged in field investigations—highlights the nature of a police officer's duties. These estimates are based on annual salary projections, thus providing a frame of reference for those considering various employment scenarios in law enforcement.
About the Cedar Falls 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) | $24.34 | $194.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.74 | $261.94 |
| Median (P50) | $39.97 | $319.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.88 | $399.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.27 | $458.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cedar Falls
Based on $39.97/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.97/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cedar Falls, IA can expect to earn approximately $83,131 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,960. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cedar Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cedar Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,598.67 | $6,928 | $83,131 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $959.20 | $4,157 | $49,878 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $639.47 | $2,771 | $33,252 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Cedar Falls) | $39.97 |
| 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 Cedar Falls, IA earn a median of $83,122 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.83% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 4.00% above the Iowa state average of $79,925.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.97/hr = $49,878/year (purchasing power: $55,175).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $83,131/year (purchasing power: $91,959).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.13/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.97/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Cedar Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.13/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.35/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.88/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.78/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.97/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.19/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Cedar Falls grew 20.7% from $32.13/hr (2019) to $38.78/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.19/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 Cedar Falls 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 Cedar Falls
A police officer working part-time in Cedar Falls typically finds themselves making less than their full-time counterparts, who benefit from additional perks that often include overtime pay. Overtime pay can escalate a base hourly rate significantly; with court appearances and specialized tasks, officers may earn 1.5 times their base rate, effectively raising their compensation by an additional 20-50%. The existence of per diem positions in police work represents a flexible option where individuals can earn varying amounts based on assignment specifics. Different departments also provide distinct hourly pay scales: municipal police departments, county sheriff's offices, and federal agencies all have unique structures, affecting total compensation. While some officers might accept positions with lower hourly pay for substantial health benefits, others might prioritize higher pay without such perks. Officers seeking to maximize their earnings in Cedar Falls should consider negotiating for salary increases based on additional certifications and special assignments, which may strengthen their position in this tight labor market.
More salary data for Cedar Falls, 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 Cedar Falls. 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 Cedar Falls 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