SOC 33-3051 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers — Iowa City
Iowa City, IA · 7 metro areas compared
At $76,190, median pay for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Iowa City, IA tracks the national median of $76,210 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $76,190, median pay for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Iowa City, IA tracks the national median of $76,210 closely. Pay ranges from under $63,270 at the tenth percentile to more than $92,680 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $75,350 to $82,560.
Employment stands at 320, or 3.4 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Des Moines records the highest median at $81,810. Of the 296 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 80th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $63,270 | −17.0% |
| 25th | $75,350 | −1.1% |
| Median (50th) | $76,190 | −0.0% |
| 75th | $82,560 | +8.3% |
| 90th | $92,680 | +21.6% |
| Mean | $78,010 | +2.4% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Des Moines | $81,810 | 1,240 | |
| 2 | Cedar Rapids | $79,280 | 450 | |
| 3 | Waterloo | $78,970 | 310 | |
| 4 | Sioux City | $78,940 | 220 | |
| 5 | Ames | $73,840 | 150 | |
| 6 | Dubuque | $72,170 | 170 | |
| 7 | Davenport | $68,550 | 690 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Iowa City run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $76,190 goes as far as $86,777 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 13.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$76,190as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$86,777US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $76,190 a year, 0.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $63,270 to $92,680 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 320 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Des Moines, at $81,810.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Iowa City, IA?
The median annual wage is $76,190, or $36.63 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 Iowa City, IA is 0.0% lower. 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 Iowa City, IA earns more than $92,680 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $63,270 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 Des Moines, at $81,810 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 320 jobs in this occupation in Iowa City, 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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