Police Officer Salary in Council Bluffs, IA: $77,198 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Council Bluffs, IA earns a median $77,198/year (≈ $37.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Council Bluffs's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $85,396 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Council Bluffs, police officers earn a median annual salary of $77,198, which reflects local adjustments and cost considerations based on estimates derived from BLS state-level data. The salary range for officers spans from $48,151 at the lower end (P10) up to $114,889 at the high end (P90). This competitive pay reflects both the responsibilities that come with law enforcement and a comprehensive retirement impact due to pension multiplier formulas, which can greatly influence long-term financial stability. Given the projected growth rate of 3.06% annually in this sector, law enforcement positions in Council Bluffs remain appealing, even as salaries align closely with national averages.
About the Council Bluffs Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($65,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,151 | $23.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,737 | $28.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,198 | $37.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,814 | $47.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $114,889 | $55.24 |
Median Salary Position
1.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Council Bluffs
In Council Bluffs, IA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $66,738 (2026 est.). At $77,198, the local median is 1.71% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Council Bluffs: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Council Bluffs Police Officer Pay Compares
Council Bluffs median: $77,198/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Council Bluffs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $79,915 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -1.71% less |
Police Officers in Council Bluffs, IA earn a median of $77,198 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.71% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 3.40% below the Iowa state average of $79,915.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Council Bluffs 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.
Council Bluffs, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $77,198 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $85,396 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,069
2025 BLS Actual
$74,906
2026 Current Est.
$77,198
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Council Bluffs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,069 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,419 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,504 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,664 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,043 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,746 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,906 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,198 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,560 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Council Bluffs metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $62,069 (2019) to $74,906 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,560 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,491 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Council Bluffs 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) | $48,151 – $59,737 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,737 – $77,198 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,198 – $98,814 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,814 – $114,889 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Council Bluffs
Council Bluffs employs 12 police officers, creating a robust local job market for law enforcement professionals. With a cost-of-living index of 90.4, officers in the area find that their salaries stretch further compared to higher-cost regions, enhancing their overall purchasing power. Among the various employers, municipal police departments typically offer the most competitive packages, though county sheriff's offices and federal agencies can provide higher compensation under certain conditions. Factors such as agency type, overtime structures, specialized assignments, and educational incentives drive the disparity in pay, making it essential for officers to explore potential shifts and additional certifications for maximizing earning potential. To effectively increase their compensation, officers should consider opportunities for advancement within different agency tiers and negotiate for overtime assignments in specialized units.
More salary data for Council Bluffs, 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 $74,906 for police officersin the Council Bluffs 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 Council Bluffs 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