Police Officer Hourly Pay in West Des Moines, IA: $40.01 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in West Des Moines, IA runs $40.01 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $83,224 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against West Des Moines's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $44.26 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,930 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the police officer hourly pay in West Des Moines, IA, is projected to be $40.01, which exceeds the national median hourly rate of $37.76 by 5.96%. This higher pay reflects the city's recognition of the rigorous demands placed on its law enforcement personnel. For part-time officers working an average of three days a week, the compensation can offer a viable income, especially when considering varied assignments in patrol vehicles, courtrooms, or specialized operational settings like SWAT. The hourly range for police officers in West Des Moines spans from $25.87 for entry-level positions to $60.37 for top earners, making this an appealing career for those entering the field and aspiring to achieve higher positions.
About the West Des Moines 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) | $25.87 | $206.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.64 | $245.12 |
| Median (P50) | $40.01 | $320.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.21 | $409.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.37 | $482.98 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in West Des Moines
Based on $40.01/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.01/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in West Des Moines, IA can expect to earn approximately $83,216 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,009. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in West Des Moines.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in West Des Moines
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,600.32 | $6,935 | $83,216 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $960.19 | $4,161 | $49,930 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $640.13 | $2,774 | $33,287 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (West Des Moines) | $40.01 |
| 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 West Des Moines, IA earn a median of $83,224 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.96% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 4.10% above the Iowa state average of $79,946.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.01/hr = $49,930/year (purchasing power: $55,232).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $83,216/year (purchasing power: $92,054).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.82/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.01/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in West Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.38/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.91/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.82/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.61/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.82/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.01/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.23/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in West Des Moines grew 20.7% from $32.17/hr (2019) to $38.82/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.23/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 West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines
Exploring the earning potential reveals more for those contemplating part-time work versus full-time commitments. A police officer working 24 hours per week could expect to bring home around $49,776 annually, a significant contrast to full-time positions that typically require 40-hour work weeks or more, often supplemented with overtime pay. In fact, mandatory overtime for court appearances or special projects can elevate earnings by 20-50%, adding a financial cushion. The various employment types within law enforcement in West Des Moines, including county, federal, and private security roles, each offer unique hourly rates and benefits. Some departments may provide attractive health insurance and retirement packages, justifying a lower hourly rate for those valuing stability over immediate cash compensation. For effective negotiations, it's crucial for officers to be aware of industry standards and departmental budgets, particularly when working for municipalities versus federal agencies, which may command higher pay scales.
More salary data for West Des Moines, 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 West Des Moines. 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 West Des Moines 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