Police Officer Salary in Des Moines, WA: $101,914 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Des Moines, WA earns a median $101,914/year (≈ $48.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Des Moines's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $94,892 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officers in Des Moines, Washington, can expect a median annual salary of $101,914, reflecting a competitive market compared to the national median of $78,542. With a salary range from $64,846 at the 10th percentile to $149,922 at the 90th percentile, Des Moines offers a solid compensation structure that aligns with regional economic conditions. These figures are local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parities, indicating a robust job demand for law enforcement professionals. As the city continues to emphasize public safety, the competitive pay for police officers contributes to attracting and retaining talent in the area, indicating a strong investment in community safety and services.
About the Des Moines Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,846 | $31.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,565 | $38.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,914 | $48.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $129,351 | $62.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $149,922 | $72.08 |
Median Salary Position
29.76% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Moines
In Des Moines, WA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $85,076 (2026 est.). At $101,914, the local median is 29.76% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Des Moines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Des Moines Police Officer Pay Compares
Des Moines median: $101,914/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Moines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $102,840 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +29.76% more |
Police Officers in Des Moines, WA earn a median of $101,914 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.76% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 0.90% below the Washington state average of $102,840.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Moines has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Des Moines, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $101,914 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $94,892 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,942
2025 BLS Actual
$98,888
2026 Current Est.
$101,914
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,942 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,043 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,836 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,367 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,789 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,639 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,888 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,914 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,033 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Moines metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $81,942 (2019) to $98,888 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,033 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,091 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Moines 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) | $64,846 – $79,565 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,565 – $101,914 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,914 – $129,351 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $129,351 – $149,922 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Des Moines
The employment landscape for police officers in Des Moines is characterized by seven professionals on the force, offering a tight-knit work environment. With a cost-of-living index of 107.4, officers need to consider how their compensation translates into real purchasing power. Among the various roles within law enforcement, municipal police departments typically offer the most competitive salaries, while federal positions, such as with the FBI or DEA, usually command higher pay grades, making those appealing avenues post-retirement. The salary range is influenced by various factors, including agency type, overtime structures, and training incentives like educational pay boosts. To maximize earning potential in Des Moines, officers should seek roles that offer overtime opportunities, special unit assignments, or contract negotiation leverage through collective bargaining, which can lead to significantly higher take-home pay.
More salary data for Des Moines, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $98,888 for police officersin the Des Moines 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 Des Moines 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