Police Officer Hourly Pay in Dubuque, IA: $35.76 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Dubuque, IA runs $35.76 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,378 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Dubuque's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.3, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $40.95 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,631 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Dubuque, Iowa, the projected police officer hourly pay for 2026 stands at $35.76. This figure is slightly below the national median hourly rate of $37.76, illustrating the impact of regional pay scales within law enforcement. For part-time officers working three days a week, this hourly rate translates to a manageable income while allowing for flexibility in their schedules. Such officers may find themselves transitioning between various environments, whether patrolling assigned beats, handling tasks in booking and report-writing rooms, or appearing in court. The hourly rate range in Dubuque also varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $31.47, while seasoned professionals and specialized units can earn up to $42.72 per hour. This information is derived from official 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected for 2026, providing a reliable snapshot of police officer compensation in the area.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.47 | $251.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.17 | $273.40 |
| Median (P50) | $35.76 | $286.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.72 | $341.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.72 | $341.75 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dubuque
Based on $35.76/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.76/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dubuque, IA can expect to earn approximately $74,385 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,914. With a cost-of-living index of 87.33 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Dubuque.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dubuque
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,430.47 | $6,199 | $74,385 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $858.28 | $3,719 | $44,631 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $572.19 | $2,479 | $29,754 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Dubuque) | $35.76 |
| 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 Dubuque, IA earn a median of $74,378 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.30% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 7.00% below the Iowa state average of $79,977.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.76/hr = $44,631/year (purchasing power: $51,107).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,385/year (purchasing power: $85,178).
CoL index: 87.328 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.91/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.70/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.76/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+32.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Dubuque (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.91/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.78/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.53/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.70/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.76/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.86/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Dubuque grew 24.3% from $27.91/hr (2019) to $34.70/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.86/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 Dubuque 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 Dubuque
While full-time positions offer stability, part-time officers in Dubuque face a different earning potential. A part-time officer working 24 hours a week at the stated hourly rate would take home about $44,635 annually, a stark contrast to full-time counterparts who, based on a 40-hour week, can expect a significantly higher income. Additionally, many officers take advantage of per diem police officer pay in Dubuque by picking up extra shifts, often paid at a rate that can add 20-50% to their base pay through overtime for court appearances or special assignments. The earning opportunities also vary among different employer types, such as municipal police departments and federal agencies, which tend to offer better compensation but come with the trade-offs of benefits and job security. Those considering roles in law enforcement should think about the overall compensation package, especially when negotiating for terms that might include benefits like health insurance, which might necessitate a choice between a lower hourly rate with benefits or a higher rate without. For those entering the police force in Dubuque, being well-informed can make a meaningful difference in negotiations that could affect their financial stability and career satisfaction.
More salary data for Dubuque, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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 Dubuque. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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