Police Officer Hourly Pay in Waterloo, IA: $39.13 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Waterloo, IA runs $39.13 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,386 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Waterloo's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.1, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $44.95 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,837 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Waterloo, Iowa, the police officer hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $39.13 in 2026, exceeding the national median of $37.76. This competitive hourly rate reflects the importance of the role within the community, allowing officers to work varied shifts in environments such as patrol vehicles, police stations, and courtrooms. Those in part-time or per-diem positions, typically working around three days a week, can expect to earn anywhere from $29.17 to $46.08 per hour based on experience and role specialties. The pay scale for police officers in Waterloo offers a clear pathway from entry-level positions to those at the top of their profession, enabling both full-time employees and part-time workers to establish meaningful careers while serving the community.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.17 | $233.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.62 | $252.95 |
| Median (P50) | $39.13 | $313.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.24 | $353.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.08 | $368.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waterloo
Based on $39.13/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.13/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waterloo, IA can expect to earn approximately $81,394 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,958. With a cost-of-living index of 87.06 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Waterloo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waterloo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,565.28 | $6,783 | $81,394 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $939.17 | $4,070 | $48,837 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $626.11 | $2,713 | $32,558 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Waterloo) | $39.13 |
| 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 Waterloo, IA earn a median of $81,386 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.62% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.80% above the Iowa state average of $79,947.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.13/hr = $48,837/year (purchasing power: $56,097).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,394/year (purchasing power: $93,495).
CoL index: 87.057 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.88/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.97/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.13/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+35.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Waterloo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.88/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.41/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.97/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.13/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.33/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Waterloo grew 27.1% from $29.88/hr (2019) to $37.97/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.33/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 Waterloo 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 Waterloo
For those considering part-time work, specifically three-day workweeks totaling 24 hours, the annual earning potential would differ significantly compared to full-time roles. Part-time officers might bring in around $48,640 annually, while the overtime potential in police work can dramatically affect a full-timer's income, often resulting in payenhancements of 20-50% through court appearances or additional duties. In Waterloo, police officer hourly rates can also vary significantly based on the employer type—municipal, county, and even federal agencies like the FBI command different pay scales. Additionally, some officers may opt for the higher hourly rates available in private security roles post-retirement, with certain positions fetching $35 to $75 an hour. In negotiating pay, understanding the benefits associated with hourly work versus salaried positions is vital; factors such as health insurance and retirement plans can sway decisions significantly.
More salary data for Waterloo, 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 Waterloo. 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