Police Officer Salary in Cedar Falls, IA: $83,122 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Cedar Falls, IA earns a median $83,122/year (≈ $39.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Cedar Falls's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $91,949 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% above the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cedar Falls, Iowa, the projected median annual salary for police officers in 2026 reaches $83,122, which is 5.83% higher than the national median of $78,542 for that year. This competitive pay range varies significantly, with earnings anticipated between $50,641 at the 10th percentile and $119,118 at the 90th percentile. These figures arise from estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price disparities, showcasing the local economic landscape. Overtime opportunities—often linked to mandatory court appearances and specialized details—can further influence officers' earnings, making the financial potential of this profession particularly attractive in Cedar Falls.
About the Cedar Falls Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($65,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,641 | $24.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,103 | $32.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,122 | $39.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,763 | $49.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $119,118 | $57.27 |
Median Salary Position
5.83% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cedar Falls
In Cedar Falls, IA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $68,477 (2026 est.). At $83,122, the local median is 5.83% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cedar Falls: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cedar Falls Police Officer Pay Compares
Cedar Falls median: $83,122/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cedar Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $79,925 | +4.00% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +5.83% more |
Police Officers in Cedar Falls, IA earn a median of $83,122 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.83% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 4.00% above the Iowa state average of $79,925.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cedar Falls 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.
Cedar Falls, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $83,122 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $91,949 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,832
2025 BLS Actual
$80,654
2026 Current Est.
$83,122
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Cedar Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,832 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,362 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,378 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,626 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,495 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,212 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,654 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,122 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,666 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cedar Falls metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $66,832 (2019) to $80,654 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,666 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,834 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar Falls 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) | $50,641 – $68,103 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,103 – $83,122 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,122 – $103,763 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,763 – $119,118 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Cedar Falls
With only eight police officers employed in Cedar Falls, the job market remains compact yet defined, contributing to a localized valuation of police officer pay in Cedar Falls, IA. The city's cost of living index, measured at 90.4, suggests that salaries here provide a reasonable purchasing power, relative to national averages. Among various law enforcement agencies, municipal departments typically yield the most competitive salaries, though federal roles can provide even higher compensation, reflecting the varying pay scales across the field. The disparity in officer pay can be attributed to factors such as agency type, union-negotiated overtime, special assignments, and educational incentives. For those looking to maximize their police officer pay in Cedar Falls, focusing on voluntary special units or pursuing advanced degrees can enhance earning potential significantly while capitalizing on the local job dynamics.
More salary data for Cedar Falls, 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 $80,654 for police officersin the Cedar Falls 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 Cedar Falls 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