Public Service Iowa City, IA Pop. 74,828

Police Officer Salary in Iowa City, Iowa

The median police officer salary in Iowa City, IA is $62,501 per year, which is 5% below the national median and 6.7% above the Iowa state average.

City Median
$62,501
vs State Avg
+$3,948
vs National
$-3,289
Cost of Living
95%

Police Officer Pay in Iowa City: What to Expect (2026)

Iowa City offers a median police officer salary of $62,501, which is $3,948 above the Iowa state average of $58,553. Compared to the national median of $65,790, Iowa City pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Iowa City's cost of living is 95% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for police officers in Iowa City spans from $38,380 at the 10th percentile to $100,700 at the 90th percentile — a $62,320 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $39,900, while senior police officers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $93,100. Iowa City is a smaller market (pop. 74,828), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Police Officer Salary in Iowa City by Experience

In Iowa City, an entry-level police officer earns around $39,900, while experienced professionals earn up to $93,100 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$39,900
$-2,100 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$62,700
$-3,300 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$93,100
$-4,900 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Iowa City, IA

Percentile Iowa City
10th Percentile $38,380
25th Percentile $48,640
Median (50th) $62,501
75th Percentile $82,840
90th Percentile $100,700

Police Officer Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Des Moines, IA
$60,527
Pop. 214,133
Cedar Rapids, IA
$57,895
Pop. 137,710
Davenport, IA
$56,579
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$55,264
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Police Officer in Iowa City

Education

Most police officer positions require a high school diploma. Iowa City and the surrounding Iowa area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Law EnforcementEmergency ResponseReport WritingDe-escalationPhysical FitnessCommunity Policing

Job Outlook

Nationally, police officer employment is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Iowa City may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Police Officer Jobs in Iowa City

Browse open police officer positions in Iowa City, IA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Police Officer Salary in Iowa City

How much does a Police Officer make in Iowa City, IA? ▼
The median police officer salary in Iowa City, Iowa is $62,501 per year, which is 5% below the national median of $65,790. Salaries range from $38,380 (10th percentile) to $100,700 (90th percentile).
How much does a Police Officer make per hour in Iowa City? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $62,501, a police officer in Iowa City earns approximately $30 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Iowa City compare to the Iowa state average for police officer pay? ▼
Iowa City's median police officer salary of $62,501 is 6.7% above the Iowa state average of $58,553. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Iowa City, IA? ▼
Iowa City has a cost of living index of 95% compared to the national average. This means a police officer salary of $62,501 in Iowa City has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a police officer in Iowa City? ▼
Most police officer positions in Iowa City require a high school diploma. Key skills include Law Enforcement, Emergency Response, Report Writing, De-escalation. The job market is projected to grow 3% nationally over the next decade.