Updated 2026-10-09 · 9 of 280 Iowa agencies publish starting pay

Highest paying police departments in Iowa

Police officer salary in Iowa by department, ranked by the starting pay each one states in a current posting. Median starting pay is $70,200, about $33.75/hr or $5,850/mo, above the national median of $69,347. 9 of these departments are hiring right now.

Median starting pay

$70,200

▲ 1% vs national $69,347

Highest starting pay

$77,251

West Des Moines PD

Lowest on file

$63,074

Fort Dodge PD

Median top-step pay

$94,263

8 departments publish a top step

Every Iowa department by starting pay

Highest first

Starting pay is the lowest advertised full-time figure for a sworn officer in each department's current posting, annualized. Top pay and lateral start appear where the posting states them. Click a department for the quoted source line and verification date.
Department	Area	Starting pay	Top pay	Lateral start	Status
1. West Des Moines PD	Des Moines Area	$77,251	—	—	Hiring · 1
2. Dubuque County Sheriff	Dubuque Area	$74,928	$97,305	—	Hiring · 1
3. Mason City PD	Mason City Area	$71,450	$95,050	—	Hiring · 1
4. Davenport PD	Quad Cities	$70,322	$70,322	—	Hiring · 1
5. Waukee PD	Des Moines Area	$70,200	$99,902	$75,920	Hiring · 1
6. Ames PD	Ames Area	$68,965	$101,000	—	Hiring · 1
7. Dubuque PD	Dubuque Area	$68,931	$89,315	—	Hiring · 1
8. Black Hawk County Sheriff	Waterloo Area	$67,018	$93,475	—	Hiring · 1
9. Fort Dodge PD	Fort Dodge Area	$63,074	$63,074	—	Hiring · 1

Hiring bonuses in Iowa

All Iowa bonuses

Mason City PDEntry and lateral$5,000

Police jobs in Iowa (10)Lateral police jobs in Iowa Iowa departments that don't require college (5)All Iowa departments Starting pay by state

Highest paying police departments in Iowa

Every Iowa department by starting pay

Hiring bonuses in Iowa

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