Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in Iowa
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Iowa earn a median of $74,470 a year ($35.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,130 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,520 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $76,210. Iowa ranks 27th of 51 states for police and sheriff's patrol officers pay. There are 3.3 police and sheriff's patrol officers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $76,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,360 | $28.54 |
| 25th percentile | $63,810 | $30.68 |
| Median | $74,470 | $35.81 |
| 75th percentile | $86,160 | $41.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,520 | $48.81 |
| Average (mean) | $76,280 | $36.67 |
Half of police and sheriff's patrol officers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,205.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,102.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,864.23 |
| Weekly | $1,432.12 |
| Hourly | $35.81 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $74,470 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $81,810 | 1,240 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $80,280 | 1,640 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $79,280 | 450 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $78,970 | 310 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $78,940 | 220 |
| Iowa City, IA | $76,190 | 320 |
| Ames, IA | $73,840 | 150 |
| Dubuque, IA | $72,170 | 170 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $68,550 | 690 |
Highest-paying states for police and sheriff's patrol officers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $118,880 |
| Washington | $102,080 |
| Illinois | $100,520 |
| Alaska | $99,130 |
| Colorado | $97,350 |
| Delaware | $92,970 |
| New York | $92,790 |
| New Jersey | $92,610 |
| District of Columbia | $88,650 |
| Oregon | $88,140 |
See Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers pay in every state.
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $53,040 | $25.50 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $79,560 | $38.25 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $98,260 | $47.24 |
| Bailiff | $52,100 | $25.05 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $43,370 | $20.85 |
| Security Guard | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| Firefighter | $55,810 | $26.83 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $25,460 | $12.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $98,840 | $47.52 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $76,010 | $36.54 |
| School Bus Monitor | $32,740 | $15.74 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $46,560 | $22.39 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $74,420 | $35.78 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $35,750 | $17.19 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-3051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a police and sheriff's patrol officers make in Iowa?
The median salary for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Iowa is $74,470 a year, or $35.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid police and sheriff's patrol officers make in Iowa?
The top 10% of police and sheriff's patrol officers in Iowa earn at least $101,520 a year. The top 25% earn $86,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,360 a year, and a quarter of police and sheriff's patrol officers earn $63,810 or less.
How many police and sheriff's patrol officers work in Iowa?
About 5,130 police and sheriff's patrol officers are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.