Police Officer Salary in Johnston, IA: $74,195 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Johnston, IA earns a median $74,195/year (≈ $35.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Johnston's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $82,074 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.2% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Johnston, Iowa, police officers can anticipate a median annual salary of $74,195 in 2026, a figure that falls approximately 5.53% below the national median of $78,542. The local salary range varies significantly, with officers earning as little as $51,060 at the 10th percentile and up to $107,823 at the 90th percentile. These salary estimates for Johnston are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost metrics, highlighting the distinct pay structure often influenced by whether officers work for municipal police departments, county sheriff's offices, or federal law enforcement agencies. This disparity reflects the varying operational budgets and requirements impacting police officer pay in Johnston and potentially illustrates the local job market's competitive nature.
About the Johnston Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($65,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,060 | $24.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,311 | $28.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,195 | $35.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,193 | $45.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,823 | $51.84 |
Median Salary Position
5.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Johnston
In Johnston, IA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,763 (2026 est.). At $74,195, the local median is 5.53% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Johnston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Johnston Police Officer Pay Compares
Johnston median: $74,195/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Johnston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $79,951 | -7.20% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -5.53% less |
Police Officers in Johnston, IA earn a median of $74,195 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.53% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 7.20% below the Iowa state average of $79,951.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Johnston 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.
Johnston, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $74,195 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $82,074 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,655
2025 BLS Actual
$71,992
2026 Current Est.
$74,195
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Johnston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,655 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,913 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,034 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,149 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,280 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,538 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,992 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,195 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,465 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Johnston metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $59,655 (2019) to $71,992 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,465 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,810 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Johnston 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) | $51,060 – $60,311 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,311 – $74,195 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,195 – $94,193 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,193 – $107,823 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Johnston
In regards to the local employment landscape, Johnston employs four police officers, a relatively small workforce that suggests limited competition for these positions. The cost of living in Johnston, indexed at 90.4, indicates a more affordable environment compared to the national average, which can enhance the purchasing power of local salaries. Officers in Johnston may find higher pay opportunities through state police or federal roles, where earnings generally eclipse those at the municipal level. Factors such as agency type, union contracts, and additional compensation for special assignments greatly influence the variation in pay; for instance, officers can benefit from educational incentives and pension multipliers that favor career longevity. To maximize their earning potential, officers should seek additional training, pursue overtime opportunities, and consider long-term career pathways within various law enforcement agencies.
More salary data for Johnston, 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 $71,992 for police officersin the Johnston 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 Johnston 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