Police Officer Hourly Pay in Urbandale, IA: $36.72 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Urbandale, IA runs $36.72 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $76,377 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Urbandale's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $40.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,827 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Urbandale, Iowa, the police officer hourly pay stands at a median of $36.72, which is slightly below the national median of $37.76. This figure provides a meaningful reference point for both part-time and per-diem officers working in various settings. For a police officer working part-time three days a week, their earnings might heavily depend on the specific duties they undertake, whether in patrol vehicles on assigned beats or in more specialized roles like special operations. The hourly wage ranges from $24.30 at the 10th percentile to $53.59 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varying levels of experience and responsibilities in the profession. These hourly estimates draw from annual salary data and illustrate the compensation structure for officers at different stages of their careers in Urbandale.
About the Urbandale 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) | $24.30 | $194.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.28 | $234.23 |
| Median (P50) | $36.72 | $293.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.43 | $371.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.59 | $428.73 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Urbandale
Based on $36.72/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.72/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Urbandale, IA can expect to earn approximately $76,378 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,064. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Urbandale.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Urbandale
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,468.81 | $6,365 | $76,378 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $881.29 | $3,819 | $45,827 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $587.52 | $2,546 | $30,551 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Urbandale) | $36.72 |
| 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 Urbandale, IA earn a median of $76,377 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.76% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 4.50% below the Iowa state average of $79,976.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.72/hr = $45,827/year (purchasing power: $50,693).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $76,378/year (purchasing power: $84,489).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.52/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.63/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.72/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Urbandale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.52/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.64/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.21/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.76/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.79/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.63/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.72/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Urbandale grew 20.7% from $29.52/hr (2019) to $35.63/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.84/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 Urbandale 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 Urbandale
Examining the financial realities for police officers reveals significant differences in earning potential between full-time and part-time roles. A part-time officer working 24 hours per week may earn substantially less annually compared to their full-time counterparts, who are typically eligible for overtime pay that can elevate their total compensation by 20-50%. In Urbandale, part-time roles must be approached strategically, as per diem pay scales may range widely but often fall within $35-$75 for off-duty assignments like event security. The variety and diversity of employer types—municipal departments, county sheriff's offices, and federal law enforcement agencies—further complicate the pay scale, with municipal roles generally offering lower hourly rates compared to federal positions. Additionally, many officers trade off lower pay for more comprehensive benefits, including health insurance, which can make negotiation strategies crucial for those within Urbandale's police workforce.
More salary data for Urbandale, 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 Urbandale. 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 Urbandale 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