Police Officer Salary in Dubuque, IA: $74,378 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Dubuque, IA earns a median $74,378/year (≈ $35.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Dubuque's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.3), that paycheck buys what $85,171 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% below the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median salary for police officers in Dubuque, Iowa, is projected to reach $74,378. This figure reflects a salary range between $65,464 at the lower end (P10) and $88,848 at the upper end (P90). These numbers, derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, demonstrate the potential for high earnings through overtime opportunities. Mandatory court appearances and special details can significantly enhance an officer's earnings, often making overtime a key factor in overall compensation. Given this, Dubuque's police officer pay structures need to be understood within the context of effective take-home income in an evolving job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,464 | $31.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,091 | $34.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,378 | $35.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88,848 | $42.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,848 | $42.72 |
Median Salary Position
5.3% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dubuque
In Dubuque, IA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,384 (2026 est.). At $74,378, the local median is 5.3% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dubuque: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dubuque Police Officer Pay Compares
Dubuque median: $74,378/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dubuque Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $79,977 | -7.00% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -5.30% less |
Police Officers in Dubuque, IA earn a median of $74,378 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.30% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 7.00% below the Iowa state average of $79,977.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dubuque has a cost of living 12.67% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dubuque, IA has a cost-of-living index of 87.328 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $74,378 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $85,171 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.51% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,050
2025 BLS Actual
$72,170
2026 Current Est.
$74,378
2019–2027 Growth
+32.0%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Dubuque (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,050 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,470 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,510 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,940 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,900 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,170 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,378 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,654 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dubuque metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 24.3% from $58,050 (2019) to $72,170 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,654 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,604 (32.05%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dubuque 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) | $65,464 – $71,091 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,091 – $74,378 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,378 – $88,848 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $88,848 – $88,848 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Dubuque
As for the local employment landscape, Dubuque has a workforce of approximately 170 police officers, offering a solid foundation for job stability in law enforcement. The area's cost-of-living index stands at 87.328, which is below the national average and suggests that officers may enjoy better purchasing power compared to some urban counterparts. Among local employers, municipal police departments typically offer competitive pay, while county sheriffs and state police can provide additional opportunities with varying compensation structures. The variance in police officer salaries in Dubuque can be attributed to factors such as type of agency, union contract stipulations on overtime, special unit assignments, and educational incentives, with higher salaries often seen in federal law enforcement roles. For current or aspiring officers, maximizing earning potential may involve aiming for specialized roles or pursuing further education to qualify for pay increases, which is a strategic way to enhance one’s professional appeal in Dubuque IA.
More salary data for Dubuque, 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 $72,170 for police officersin the Dubuque 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