Police Officer Salary in Fort Dodge, IA: $73,378 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Fort Dodge, IA earns a median $73,378/year (≈ $35.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Fort Dodge's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $81,170 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.2% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officers in Fort Dodge, Iowa can expect a median annual salary of $73,378, which is approximately 6.57% lower than the national median of $78,542. Alongside this, the salary range for police officers in the area spans from $49,059 at the 10th percentile to $102,619 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions and cost of living. With overtime frequently required for various duties, including court appearances and special assignments, the effective pay can improve significantly, making the role attractive despite the lower-than-average base compensation compared to larger metropolitan areas.
About the Fort Dodge Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($65,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,059 | $23.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,659 | $28.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $73,378 | $35.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,172 | $44.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,619 | $49.33 |
Median Salary Position
6.57% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Dodge
In Fort Dodge, IA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,560 (2026 est.). At $73,378, the local median is 6.57% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fort Dodge: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fort Dodge Police Officer Pay Compares
Fort Dodge median: $73,378/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Dodge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $79,932 | -8.20% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -6.57% less |
Police Officers in Fort Dodge, IA earn a median of $73,378 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.57% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 8.20% below the Iowa state average of $79,932.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Dodge 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.
Fort Dodge, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $73,378 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $81,170 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,998
2025 BLS Actual
$71,199
2026 Current Est.
$73,378
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Fort Dodge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,998 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,231 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,362 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,464 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,527 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,937 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,199 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,378 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,623 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Dodge metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $58,998 (2019) to $71,199 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,623 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,625 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Dodge 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) | $49,059 – $58,659 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,659 – $73,378 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $73,378 – $92,172 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,172 – $102,619 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Fort Dodge
While only four police officers are currently employed in Fort Dodge, the local job market presents unique opportunities. The cost of living index stands at 90.4, indicating that expenses are generally lower than the national average, thereby enhancing the purchasing power of officers' salaries. Among various agencies, municipal police departments typically offer the bulk of employment opportunities, though potential higher-paying roles might exist within federal law enforcement. Factors influencing pay equity include agency type, overtime agreements, special unit assignments, and educational incentives that can raise base pay significantly. Officers aiming to maximize their earnings should consider pursuing specialized training, which not only enhances job performance but can also lead to increased compensation through stipends and promotional opportunities.
More salary data for Fort Dodge, 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 $71,199 for police officersin the Fort Dodge 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 Fort Dodge 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