Police Officer Hourly Pay in Waukee, IA: $36.77 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Waukee, IA runs $36.77 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $76,480 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Waukee's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $40.68 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,891 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Waukee, Iowa, police officers earn a median hourly rate of $36.77. Compared to the national median hourly rate of $37.76, the local figure is slightly lower, reflecting the cost of living and various local economic factors. For part-time officers working an average of three days a week, this hourly pay translates into approximately $1,180 per week if they maintain full shifts. Per-diem workers who respond to emergencies or undertake specific assignments can find themselves in police stations, on assigned beats, or in specialized operations like K-9 units, earning between $23.92 at the entry level and up to $50.91 at the highest tier. These hourly estimates are derived from the projected annual salaries which range significantly, indicating a diverse pay structure influenced by experience, training, and department assignments.
About the Waukee 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) | $23.92 | $191.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.00 | $232.01 |
| Median (P50) | $36.77 | $294.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.01 | $360.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.91 | $407.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waukee
Based on $36.77/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.77/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waukee, IA can expect to earn approximately $76,485 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,126. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Waukee.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waukee
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,470.87 | $6,374 | $76,485 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $882.52 | $3,824 | $45,891 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $588.35 | $2,550 | $30,594 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Waukee) | $36.77 |
| 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 Waukee, IA earn a median of $76,480 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.63% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 4.30% below the Iowa state average of $79,916.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.77/hr = $45,891/year (purchasing power: $50,765).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $76,485/year (purchasing power: $84,608).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.68/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.77/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Waukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.57/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.68/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.80/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.84/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.68/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.77/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.90/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Waukee grew 20.7% from $29.57/hr (2019) to $35.68/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.90/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 Waukee 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 Waukee
Considering part-time earnings in Waukee, a police officer working three days a week would take home around $61,216 annually, as opposed to full-time officers who would realize a substantially higher income through steady hours and potential overtime opportunities. Overtime pay can add a significant boost, often calculated at 1.5 times the base rate for court appearances and mandatory training, which is a common expectation in law enforcement careers. Additionally, officers taking extra assignments, such as event security, might earn $35 to $75 per hour, depending on the job's nature. Pay rates can also vary significantly based on the type of employer—municipal versus county sheriff's offices versus state police—affecting overall compensation. Officers must weigh the benefits of higher hourly wages against the job security and health insurance typically offered by full-time positions, which can be pivotal in their long-term planning. Negotiation in this field often focuses on both salary and benefits, making it essential for officers in Waukee to understand their worth within the local framework of law enforcement compensation.
More salary data for Waukee, 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 Waukee. 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 Waukee 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