Police Officer Salary in Iowa: $79,467 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Iowa's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median police officer pay sits at $79,467/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 33-3051. Because Iowa sits at BEA RPP 90.4 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $87,906 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Des Moines ($81,810), West Des Moines ($80,753), Cedar Falls ($80,654).
In 2026, police officers in Iowa are projected to earn an average median salary of $79,466, slightly above the national median of $78,542, reflecting a difference of +1.2%. Des Moines is the highest-paying city, offering a salary of $84,313, while Davenport has the lowest average at $70,648, highlighting a salary gap of $13,665. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for law enforcement in urban areas, and local budgets. Iowa has specific requirements for aspiring officers, including state licensing and adherence to scope of practice laws, which help ensure that all personnel meet professional standards. The job market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 3.06% according to the latest data, indicating a steady demand for police officers across the state. Top-paying cities include West Des Moines at $83,224, Cedar Falls at $83,122, Cedar Rapids at $81,706, and Waterloo at $81,386. This indicates a trend where metropolitan areas with higher population densities and crime rates tend to offer better compensation. Overall, the outlook for law enforcement careers in Iowa remains positive, with ample opportunities expected in the coming years.
Iowa Police Officer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Iowa: $47,496 (lowest entry-level) to $125,576 (highest top earner)
Iowa vs National Average
Iowa police officers earn 1.18% more than the national median (+$925/year difference).
Iowa Police Officer Salary Distribution (2026)
Police Officer salaries in Iowa range from $59,670 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $99,690 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $79,467. The Iowa median is $925 above the US national median of $78,542. The average hourly rate is $38.20/hr. Approximately 3,686 police officers are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$63,980
2025 BLS Actual
$77,107
2026 Current Est.
$79,467
2019–2027 Growth
+28.0%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Iowa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,980 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,943 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,560 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,322 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,738 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,187 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,107 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,467 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,898 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.5% from $63,980 (2019) to $77,107 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,898 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,918 (28.01%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Iowa
Lowest Paying Cities in Iowa
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Davenport | $70,648 |
| Fort Dodge | $73,378 |
| Johnston | $74,195 |
| Ottumwa | $74,375 |
| Dubuque | $74,378 |
Best Value Cities for Police Officers in Iowa
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Iowa cities offer the most purchasing power for police officers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux City | $81,356 | 86.454 | $94,103 |
| Waterloo | $81,386 | 87.057 | $93,486 |
| West Des Moines | $83,224 | 90.4 | $92,062 |
| Cedar Falls | $83,122 | 90.4 | $91,949 |
| Des Moines | $84,313 | 91.701 | $91,943 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Iowa
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $59,670 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $79,467 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $99,690 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Iowa metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in Iowa
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Des Moines | $84,313 |
| 2 | West Des Moines | $83,224 |
| 3 | Cedar Falls | $83,122 |
| 4 | Cedar Rapids | $81,706 |
| 5 | Waterloo | $81,386 |
| 6 | Sioux City | $81,356 |
| 7 | Marion | $78,604 |
| 8 | Iowa City | $78,521 |
| 9 | Ankeny | $77,686 |
| 10 | Council Bluffs | $77,198 |
| 11 | Burlington | $76,756 |
| 12 | Waukee | $76,480 |
| 13 | Urbandale | $76,377 |
| 14 | Bettendorf | $76,371 |
| 15 | Marshalltown | $76,136 |
| 16 | Ames | $76,100 |
| 17 | Coralville | $76,035 |
| 18 | Mason City | $75,682 |
| 19 | North Liberty | $75,385 |
| 20 | Clinton | $75,013 |
| 21 | Muscatine | $74,659 |
| 22 | Dubuque | $74,378 |
| 23 | Ottumwa | $74,375 |
| 24 | Johnston | $74,195 |
| 25 | Fort Dodge | $73,378 |
| 26 | Davenport | $70,648 |
More Iowa Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore police officer hourly pay in Iowa cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced police officers.
Explore More Police Officer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Iowa in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for police officers in Iowa?
How does Iowa police officer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level police officer salary in Iowa?
How many police officers are employed in Iowa?
Which Iowa city offers the best value for police officers?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 police officer compensation across Iowa. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more police officerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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