Police Officer Salary in Waukee, IA: $76,480 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Waukee, IA earns a median $76,480/year (≈ $36.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Waukee's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $84,602 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officer salaries in Waukee, Iowa, show a median annual compensation of $76,480, aligning closely with the national median of $78,542 but slightly lower by about 2.63%. The salary range varies significantly, from $49,748 at the 10th percentile to $105,887 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse demands and potential of law enforcement roles in the area. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional price trends. The role of overtime—especially from mandatory court appearances and special details—can significantly impact overall earnings, effectively boosting the pay and making the average officer's take-home pay more competitive in the context of local economic conditions.
About the Waukee Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($65,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,748 | $23.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,313 | $29.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,480 | $36.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93,612 | $45.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,887 | $50.91 |
Median Salary Position
2.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waukee
In Waukee, IA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,139 (2026 est.). At $76,480, the local median is 2.63% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waukee: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waukee Police Officer Pay Compares
Waukee median: $76,480/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waukee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $79,916 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -2.63% less |
Police Officers in Waukee, IA earn a median of $76,480 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.63% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 4.30% below the Iowa state average of $79,916.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waukee 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.
Waukee, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $76,480 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $84,602 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,492
2025 BLS Actual
$74,209
2026 Current Est.
$76,480
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Waukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,492 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,819 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,914 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,063 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,382 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,218 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,209 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,480 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,820 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waukee metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $61,492 (2019) to $74,209 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,820 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,328 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waukee 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) | $49,748 – $60,313 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,313 – $76,480 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,480 – $93,612 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $93,612 – $105,887 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Waukee
With only four police officers currently employed in Waukee, the job market for this profession is compact, yet the opportunities for financial advancement exist. The cost of living index in Waukee stands at 90.4, indicating a lower cost compared to the national average, which can enhance real purchasing power for officers. Among law enforcement agencies, municipal police departments generally offer the most competitive salaries, while federal agencies are known to provide higher pay and better benefits. The array of compensation discrepancies is influenced by various factors, such as agency type, overtime structures from union negotiations, and additional incentives for specialized assignments or advanced education. For those seeking to maximize their earning potential, focusing on specialized roles within the department or considering a transition to federal positions post-retirement can be beneficial strategies in the evolving police officer pay market in Waukee, IA.
More salary data for Waukee, 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 $74,209 for police officersin the Waukee 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 Waukee 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