Police Officer Salary in Urbandale, IA: $76,377 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Urbandale, IA earns a median $76,377/year (≈ $36.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Urbandale's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $84,488 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Urbandale, Iowa, police officers can expect a median annual salary of $76,377 in 2026, which positions them slightly below the national median of $78,542. The pay range for officers in this city varies significantly, with the lowest 10% earning approximately $50,553 and the top 10% making as much as $111,478. These projections are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost considerations. A substantial factor influencing effective pay is the availability of overtime, which can substantially increase earnings through mandated court appearances or special details. In the context of ongoing recruitment and retention challenges in some areas, Urbandale's compensation becomes a crucial element in attracting qualified candidates to law enforcement roles.
About the Urbandale Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($65,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,553 | $24.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,894 | $29.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,377 | $36.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,578 | $46.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,478 | $53.59 |
Median Salary Position
2.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Urbandale
In Urbandale, IA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,925 (2026 est.). At $76,377, the local median is 2.76% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Urbandale: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Urbandale Police Officer Pay Compares
Urbandale median: $76,377/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Urbandale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $79,976 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -2.76% less |
Police Officers in Urbandale, IA earn a median of $76,377 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.76% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 4.50% below the Iowa state average of $79,976.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Urbandale 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.
Urbandale, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $76,377 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $84,488 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,409
2025 BLS Actual
$74,109
2026 Current Est.
$76,377
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Urbandale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,409 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,733 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,829 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,976 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,287 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,142 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,109 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,377 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,714 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Urbandale metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $61,409 (2019) to $74,109 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,714 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,305 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Urbandale 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) | $50,553 – $60,894 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,894 – $76,377 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,377 – $96,578 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,578 – $111,478 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Urbandale
Analyzing the local job market reveals that there are currently 12 police officers employed in Urbandale, with a cost-of-living index of 90.4, indicating a more affordable environment compared to national averages. This reality gives officers a relatively decent purchasing power, depending on their specific situation. Among local employers, municipal police departments typically offer competitive pay, but county sheriff’s offices and federal law enforcement agencies provide higher salaries, reflecting the disparity in funding and responsibilities. The variance in pay within Urbandale is driven by factors like agency type, overtime structures, and special unit assignments, such as SWAT or detective roles. To maximize their earning potential, officers may consider pursuing further certifications or joining specialized units, which often include educational incentives and additional compensation that can effectively enhance their salary and retirement benefits.
More salary data for Urbandale, 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 $74,109 for police officersin the Urbandale 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 Urbandale 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