Police Officer Salary in Burlington, IA: $76,756 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Burlington, IA earns a median $76,756/year (≈ $36.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Burlington's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $84,907 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Burlington, Iowa, police officers earn a median annual salary of $76,756 in 2026, which reflects the adjustments from federal and state structural choices in law enforcement compensation. The salary for officers ranges from $50,409 at the lower end to $109,432 at the higher end, demonstrating a significant disparity in pay based on experience and agency type. These figures stem from local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional economic conditions. Given the competitive nature of law enforcement positions, understanding these numbers is crucial for current officers or recruits contemplating a career in Burlington's police department.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($65,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,409 | $24.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,881 | $29.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,756 | $36.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,909 | $46.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,432 | $52.61 |
Median Salary Position
2.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
In Burlington, IA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,023 (2026 est.). At $76,756, the local median is 2.27% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burlington Police Officer Pay Compares
Burlington median: $76,756/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $79,954 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -2.27% less |
Police Officers in Burlington, IA earn a median of $76,756 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.27% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 4.00% below the Iowa state average of $79,954.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burlington has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burlington, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $76,756 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $84,907 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,714
2025 BLS Actual
$74,477
2026 Current Est.
$76,756
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,714 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,050 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,141 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,294 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,636 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,421 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,477 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,756 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,105 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burlington metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $61,714 (2019) to $74,477 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,105 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,391 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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) | $50,409 – $60,881 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,881 – $76,756 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,756 – $95,909 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,909 – $109,432 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Burlington
The local job market for police officers in Burlington is relatively small, with only four officers currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 90.4, indicating that the basic living expenses are lower than the national average, which can enhance the purchasing power of officers' salaries. Among local employers, municipal police departments typically provide the most competitive salaries, while federal positions such as the FBI offer the highest compensation in the region. Several factors influence the salary range, including the type of agency, union contracts, overtime pay, and educational incentives that could lead to higher earnings. For officers looking to maximize their pay in Burlington, pursuing advanced training, considering specialized assignments, and negotiating benefits linked to retirement plans—such as pension multipliers—can be effective strategies.
More salary data for Burlington, 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
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 $74,477 for police officersin the Burlington 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
Salary data for Burlington 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