SOC 33-3051 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers — Des Moines
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA · 7 metro areas compared
The median wage for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Des Moines, IA is $81,810 per year, close to the national median of $76,210 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Des Moines, IA is $81,810 per year, close to the national median of $76,210 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $72,700 and $104,470. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $62,540 and the ninetieth at $104,470.
The area has 1,240 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 3.1 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Cedar Rapids records the highest median at $79,280. Of the 508 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 119th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $62,540 | −17.9% |
| 25th | $72,700 | −4.6% |
| Median (50th) | $81,810 | +7.3% |
| 75th | $104,470 | +37.1% |
| 90th | $104,470 | +37.1% |
| Mean | $83,530 | +9.6% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cedar Rapids | $79,280 | 450 | |
| 2 | Waterloo | $78,970 | 310 | |
| 3 | Sioux City | $78,940 | 220 | |
| 4 | Iowa City | $76,190 | 320 | |
| 5 | Ames | $73,840 | 150 | |
| 6 | Dubuque | $72,170 | 170 | |
| 7 | Davenport | $68,550 | 690 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Des Moines run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $81,810 goes as far as $93,178 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 22.3% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$81,810as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$93,178US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $81,810 a year, 7.3% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $62,540 to $104,470 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,240 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Cedar Rapids, at $79,280.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Des Moines, IA?
The median annual wage is $81,810, or $39.33 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $76,210, so pay in Des Moines, IA is 7.3% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Des Moines, IA earns more than $104,470 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $62,540 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Cedar Rapids, at $79,280 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,240 jobs in this occupation in Des Moines, IA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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