Police Officer Salary in Mason City, IA: $75,682 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Mason City, IA earns a median $75,682/year (≈ $36.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Mason City's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $83,719 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officers in Mason City, Iowa, are projected to receive a median annual salary of $75,682. This figure reflects local estimates based on 2025 BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, indicating the city's pay scale within a wider context. The salary range for this position is notably broad, spanning from $49,054 at the 10th percentile to $109,336 at the 90th percentile. While this compensation is competitive within the local landscape, it does fall approximately 3.64% below the national median of $78,542. Such figures reveal the dynamics of police officer pay in Mason City, particularly compared to the various layers of law enforcement employment that an officer may choose between, including federal, state, and local agencies.
About the Mason City Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($65,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,054 | $23.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,514 | $28.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,682 | $36.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,840 | $45.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,336 | $52.56 |
Median Salary Position
3.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mason City
In Mason City, IA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,282 (2026 est.). At $75,682, the local median is 3.64% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mason City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mason City Police Officer Pay Compares
Mason City median: $75,682/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mason City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $79,918 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -3.64% less |
Police Officers in Mason City, IA earn a median of $75,682 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.64% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 5.30% below the Iowa state average of $79,918.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mason City 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.
Mason City, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $75,682 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $83,719 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,851
2025 BLS Actual
$73,435
2026 Current Est.
$75,682
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Mason City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,851 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,154 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,257 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,394 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,648 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,632 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,435 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,682 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,998 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mason City metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $60,851 (2019) to $73,435 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,998 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,147 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mason 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) | $49,054 – $59,514 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,514 – $75,682 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,682 – $94,840 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,840 – $109,336 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Mason City
With only four police officers currently employed in this sector, the job market in Mason City appears relatively niche, but the low cost of living—illustrated by a cost-of-living index of 90.4—could enhance the local purchasing power of salaries. This economic climate may lead officers working for municipal departments to find their compensation more appealing despite the lower end of the salary spectrum. Typically, federal law enforcement agencies offer the highest salaries, surpassing those from state police and municipal departments. The disparity in pay often stems from agency type, overtime policies, specialty assignments, and educational incentives. For officers in Mason City, tapping into opportunities such as overtime, pursuing advanced training, or seeking specialized roles can be effective strategies for elevating their overall pay in this market.
More salary data for Mason 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 $73,435 for police officersin the Mason 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
Salary data for Mason City 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