Police Officer Salary in Ames, IA: $76,100 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Ames, IA earns a median $76,100/year (≈ $36.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Ames's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.8), that paycheck buys what $85,669 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% below the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Officers in Ames, Iowa, can anticipate a median annual salary of $76,100 in 2026, reflecting a competitive compensation structure within the realm of law enforcement. The salary ranges from $55,529 at the 10th percentile to $89,673 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the variability in police officer pay Ames IA can offer. These figures are derived from the latest projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. While the local compensation falls about 3.11% below the national median annual salary of $78,542, the measured growth rate of 3.06% annually indicates a steady job market for police officers in the area, influenced by the structural distinctions among federal, state, and municipal positions.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,529 | $26.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,516 | $31.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,100 | $36.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,768 | $39.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,673 | $43.11 |
Median Salary Position
3.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ames
In Ames, IA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,144 (2026 est.). At $76,100, the local median is 3.11% below the national median of $78,542.
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How Ames Police Officer Pay Compares
Ames median: $76,100/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ames Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $79,936 | -4.80% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -3.11% less |
Police Officers in Ames, IA earn a median of $76,100 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.11% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 4.80% below the Iowa state average of $79,936.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ames has a cost of living 11.17% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ames, IA has a cost-of-living index of 88.83 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $76,100 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $85,669 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.57% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,990
2025 BLS Actual
$73,840
2026 Current Est.
$76,100
2019–2027 Growth
+17.1%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Ames (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,990 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,080 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,670 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,500 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,160 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,800 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,840 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,100 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,428 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ames metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 10.2% from $66,990 (2019) to $73,840 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,428 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,438 (17.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ames 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $55,529 – $64,516 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,516 – $76,100 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,100 – $81,768 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,768 – $89,673 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Ames
Ames employs approximately 150 police officers, which contributes to a stable local job market for the law enforcement community. With a cost of living index of 88.83, officers experience increased purchasing power compared to other regions. Among local employers, municipal police departments typically offer the most competitive pay, closely followed by county sheriff's offices. The disparity in salaries can be attributed to various factors, such as agency type, shift differentials, and special unit assignments like SWAT or detective roles. Officers looking to maximize their income may consider enhancing their qualifications through educational incentives or pursuing overtime opportunities, particularly in specialized departments that offer pension advantages based on service years and multipliers. Understanding these elements can provide current and aspiring officers valuable insight into how much do police officers make in Ames while highlighting potential paths for career growth.
More salary data for Ames, 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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $73,840 for police officersin the Ames metropolitan area. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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