Police Officer Salary in Ottumwa, IA: $74,375 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Ottumwa, IA earns a median $74,375/year (≈ $35.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Ottumwa's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $82,273 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officers in Ottumwa, Iowa, can expect a median annual salary of $74,375, slightly below the national median of $78,542. This salary range varies significantly, from a bottom 10% earning $51,488 to the top 10% making $106,050 a year. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions and living costs. For law enforcement professionals in Ottumwa, understanding the impact of pension multipliers and long-term retirement compensation is crucial, as these factors contribute significantly to overall lifetime earnings in this career path. Given the local market realities, prospective officers should be aware of the competitive landscape for law enforcement careers in the region.
About the Ottumwa Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($65,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,488 | $24.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,679 | $29.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,375 | $35.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,941 | $44.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,050 | $50.98 |
Median Salary Position
5.31% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ottumwa
In Ottumwa, IA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,562 (2026 est.). At $74,375, the local median is 5.31% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ottumwa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ottumwa Police Officer Pay Compares
Ottumwa median: $74,375/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ottumwa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $79,973 | -7.00% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -5.31% less |
Police Officers in Ottumwa, IA earn a median of $74,375 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.31% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 7.00% below the Iowa state average of $79,973.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ottumwa 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.
Ottumwa, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $74,375 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $82,273 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,800
2025 BLS Actual
$72,167
2026 Current Est.
$74,375
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Ottumwa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,800 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,063 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,182 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,300 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,445 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,671 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,167 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,375 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,651 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ottumwa metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $59,800 (2019) to $72,167 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,651 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,851 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ottumwa 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) | $51,488 – $60,679 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,679 – $74,375 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,375 – $92,941 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,941 – $106,050 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Ottumwa
Analyzing the local job market reveals that only five police officers are currently employed in Ottumwa, which can create a sense of job stability but also competition for available positions. The cost-of-living index in Ottumwa is 90.4, indicating that while salaries might appear modest compared to national averages, the purchasing power aligns more favorably with local housing and living expenses. Among the various agencies, those working for federal law enforcement typically receive the highest salaries; however, municipal police departments also offer attractive pay structures, particularly for officers with specialized training and experience. Factors influencing salary spreads include union contracts, overtime opportunities, and special duties that come with additional pay incentives. To maximize earnings in this environment, prospective officers should focus on pursuing advanced training, joining special units, and understanding the benefits of the pension multiplier, which can enhance retirement compensation significantly over time.
More salary data for Ottumwa, 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 $72,167 for police officersin the Ottumwa 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 Ottumwa 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