Police Officer Salary in Des Moines, IA: $84,313 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Des Moines, IA earns a median $84,313/year (≈ $40.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Des Moines's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.7), that paycheck buys what $91,943 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median police officer salary in Des Moines, Iowa, is projected at $84,313, which reflects a competitive stance compared to the national median of $78,542. Salaries in the region can vary significantly, ranging from $64,454 at the 10th percentile to $107,667 at the 90th percentile. Such statistics stem from reliable data based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, underscoring the city’s appeal for law enforcement professionals. As Des Moines hosts a mix of federal, municipal, and state law enforcement agencies, this structural diversity influences salary scales and job opportunities, offering officers a range of potential career paths.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,454 | $30.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,925 | $36.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,313 | $40.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,667 | $51.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,667 | $51.77 |
Median Salary Position
7.35% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Moines
In Des Moines, IA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,213 (2026 est.). At $84,313, the local median is 7.35% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Des Moines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Des Moines Police Officer Pay Compares
Des Moines median: $84,313/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Moines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $79,918 | +5.50% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +7.35% more |
Police Officers in Des Moines, IA earn a median of $84,313 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.35% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 5.50% above the Iowa state average of $79,918.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Moines has a cost of living 8.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Des Moines, IA has a cost-of-living index of 91.701 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $84,313 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $91,943 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.05% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,250
2025 BLS Actual
$81,810
2026 Current Est.
$84,313
2019–2027 Growth
+27.3%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,250 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,900 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,310 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,150 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,450 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,420 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,810 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,313 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,893 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Moines metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 19.9% from $68,250 (2019) to $81,810 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,893 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,643 (27.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Moines 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) | $64,454 – $74,925 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,925 – $84,313 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,313 – $107,667 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,667 – $107,667 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Des Moines
With approximately 1,240 police officers currently employed in Des Moines, the local job market demonstrates robust demand in a city where the cost-of-living index sits at 91.701, below the national average. This relatively lower cost of living positively impacts take-home pay, allowing officers to maximize purchasing power despite their salaries. Among the various employers, federal agencies generally provide the highest compensation, especially relative to urban municipal departments, which typically experience disparities based on several factors, including agency type, union contracts, and specialized duties such as SWAT or K-9 assignments. Strategies for enhancing pay in this market could involve seeking educational incentives, aiming for overtime opportunities, and capitalizing on distinct unit assignments that offer additional stipends. Understanding these nuances can be crucial for those considering how much police officers make in Des Moines and how to optimize their earning potential.
More salary data for Des Moines, 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 $81,810 for police officersin the Des Moines 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