Police Officer Salary in Iowa City, IA: $78,521 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Iowa City, IA earns a median $78,521/year (≈ $37.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Iowa City's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $85,807 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
As officers consider their career choices in Iowa City, the projected median salary of $78,521 for 2026 reflects a competitive compensation structure compared to the national median of $78,542. Salary ranges highlight the variance in pay, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $65,206 and earnings peaking at about $95,516 for experienced officers. These figures are derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, emphasizing the city’s commitment to sustaining an attractive salary framework for its law enforcement personnel. In Iowa City, where the job market comprises around 320 police officers, those entering or advancing in the force should evaluate the long-term benefits of their pension plans, as public service retirement formulas can significantly impact their total earnings over a career.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,206 | $31.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,656 | $37.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,521 | $37.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,086 | $40.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,516 | $45.92 |
Median Salary Position
0.03% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Iowa City
In Iowa City, IA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,310 (2026 est.). At $78,521, the local median is 0.03% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Iowa City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Iowa City Police Officer Pay Compares
Iowa City median: $78,521/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Iowa City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $79,961 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -0.03% less |
Police Officers in Iowa City, IA earn a median of $78,521 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.03% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 1.80% below the Iowa state average of $79,961.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Iowa City has a cost of living 8.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Iowa City, IA has a cost-of-living index of 91.509 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $78,521 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $85,807 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.28% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,030
2025 BLS Actual
$76,190
2026 Current Est.
$78,521
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Iowa City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,610 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,130 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,460 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,730 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,090 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,190 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,521 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,924 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa City metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.9% from $63,030 (2019) to $76,190 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,924 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,894 (28.39%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa City 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) | $65,206 – $77,656 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,656 – $78,521 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,521 – $85,086 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,086 – $95,516 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Iowa City
In Iowa City's competitive job market, the cost of living index currently sits at 91.509, which presents both challenges and opportunities for police officer pay. While this indicates the overall affordability of the area, it can also influence the take-home purchasing power of officers compared to other regions. Among various employers, municipal police departments typically offer solid compensation packages, although federal law enforcement agencies usually lead in pay for officers seeking advancement. Higher salaries often correlate with the type of agency, where federal positions provide substantial benefits and overtime options, while urban municipalities generally follow. Factors like overtime shifts, specialized assignments, and educational incentives contribute to the pay disparity among officers. To maximize earnings in Iowa City, strategies such as pursuing higher education or specialized training, seeking promotion opportunities, and taking on roles in units like SWAT or K-9 can significantly enhance overall compensation, leveraging Iowa City's compensation structure effectively.
More salary data for Iowa City, 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 $76,190 for police officersin the Iowa City 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