Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $78,970 a year ($37.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 310 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,990 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $76,210. Pay here is 6% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $74,470. There are 3.7 police and sheriff's patrol officers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $77,900, close to the median.
Pay range for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,870 | $28.30 |
| 25th percentile | $63,810 | $30.68 |
| Median | $78,970 | $37.97 |
| 75th percentile | $89,300 | $42.93 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,990 | $44.71 |
| Average (mean) | $77,900 | $37.45 |
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 | $6,580.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,290.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,037.31 |
| Weekly | $1,518.65 |
| Hourly | $37.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $78,970 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 other metro areas nearby
| 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 |
| 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 or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $53,480 | $25.71 |
| Security Guard | $38,670 | $18.59 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $106,660 | $51.28 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $23,190 | $11.15 |
| Firefighter | $61,190 | $29.42 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $71,490 | $34.37 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for police and sheriff's patrol officers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $78,970 a year, or $37.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid police and sheriff's patrol officers make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of police and sheriff's patrol officers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $92,990 a year. The top 25% earn $89,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,870 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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 310 police and sheriff's patrol officers are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.