Police Officer Salary in Marion, IA: $78,604 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Marion, IA earns a median $78,604/year (≈ $37.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Marion's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $86,951 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officers in Marion, Iowa are projected to earn a median annual salary of $78,604, slightly above the national median of $78,542. The salary range for this occupation in Marion spans from $49,268 at the lower end (P10) to $114,216 for the highest earners (P90). These figures represent local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors. Given the relatively stable economy and consistent demand for law enforcement, the job market for police officers in Marion presents competitive opportunities, particularly for those considering long-term career growth and retirement benefits, which are influenced by the pension multiplier formula often utilized in public sector employment.
About the Marion Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($65,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,268 | $23.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,631 | $29.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,604 | $37.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,081 | $47.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $114,216 | $54.91 |
Median Salary Position
0.08% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Marion
In Marion, IA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,948 (2026 est.). At $78,604, the local median is 0.08% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Marion: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Marion Police Officer Pay Compares
Marion median: $78,604/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Marion Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $79,963 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +0.08% more |
Police Officers in Marion, IA earn a median of $78,604 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.08% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.70% below the Iowa state average of $79,963.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Marion 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.
Marion, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $78,604 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $86,951 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,200
2025 BLS Actual
$76,270
2026 Current Est.
$78,604
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Marion (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,200 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,592 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,661 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,842 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,337 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,779 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,270 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,604 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,009 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Marion metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $63,200 (2019) to $76,270 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,009 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,809 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Marion 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) | $49,268 – $60,631 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,631 – $78,604 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,604 – $99,081 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,081 – $114,216 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Marion
In terms of local employment, there are currently 6 police officers working in Marion, a figure that reflects a niche but stable law enforcement presence in the area. With a cost-of-living index of 90.4, which indicates that expenses in Marion are below the national average, officers may find their purchasing power enhanced compared to counterparts in higher-cost regions. Among local employers, municipal police departments generally provide the most competitive pay structures, although county sheriff's offices and federal law enforcement agencies like the FBI can offer higher remuneration packages due to expanded responsibilities and uniformed service levels. Factors contributing to the pay variance include agency type, union contract terms, and specific roles such as detectives or specialized units. For officers in Marion, pursuing additional training and accumulating years of experience remain effective strategies for maximizing salary potential.
More salary data for Marion, 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 $76,270 for police officersin the Marion 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 Marion 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