Police Officer Hourly Pay in Johnston, IA: $35.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Johnston, IA runs $35.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,195 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Johnston's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $39.46 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,515 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Johnston, Iowa, the estimated police officer hourly pay is projected to be $35.67 in 2026, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $37.76. This figure can significantly affect part-time officers working three days a week, averaging around 24 hours, and their potential take-home pay might make up a substantial contribution to their financial planning. Officers can expect to find themselves working in diverse settings such as patrol vehicles on assigned beats, filing reports at the police station, or providing testimony in courts. The hourly range for police officers in Johnston varies, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $24.55 (P10) reaching up to $51.84 (P90) for top earners. Given that these hourly rates are derived from annual salary data, they reflect the nuances of hourly roles in law enforcement, impacted by overtime potential and specialized assignments.
About the Johnston 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) | $24.55 | $196.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.99 | $231.93 |
| Median (P50) | $35.67 | $285.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.28 | $362.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.84 | $414.71 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Johnston
Based on $35.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.67/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Johnston, IA can expect to earn approximately $74,192 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,803. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Johnston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Johnston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,426.76 | $6,183 | $74,192 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $856.06 | $3,710 | $44,515 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $570.71 | $2,473 | $29,677 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Johnston) | $35.67 |
| 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 Johnston, IA earn a median of $74,195 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.53% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 7.20% below the Iowa state average of $79,951.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.67/hr = $44,515/year (purchasing power: $49,242).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,192/year (purchasing power: $82,070).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.68/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.61/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.67/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Johnston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.68/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.76/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.34/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.88/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.83/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.22/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.61/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.67/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Johnston grew 20.7% from $28.68/hr (2019) to $34.61/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.76/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 Johnston 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 Johnston
Part-time officers working in Johnston can take home about $33,000 annually for a three-day workweek, a stark contrast to their full-time counterparts who earn a significantly higher salary. For those seeking per diem or agency work, the reality includes often mandatory overtime, which pays 1.5 times the base rate. This can lead to lucrative earnings beyond standard hours, especially during special assignments such as court details, which can add 20-50% to base earnings. Additionally, hourly rates vary based on the type of employment. Municipal police departments may pay differently compared to federal enforcement agencies like the FBI, which tend to offer higher base salaries. However, officers considering lower hourly rates might find value in benefits like health insurance that aren't always available in higher-paid private security roles. Negotiating hourly compensation effectively can play a large role in an officer's overall satisfaction and financial health, especially in a community like Johnston, where cost of living impacts take-home earnings.
More salary data for Johnston, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for police officers in Johnston in 2026?
How much do part-time police officers make in Johnston?
Are police officers in Johnston paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time police officer make per year in Johnston?
Do police officers earn more per hour working part-time in Johnston?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
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 Johnston. 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 Johnston 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