Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers Salary in Ames, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Ames, IA

Median annual salary $75,800 -0.6% vs national
Median hourly $36.44
10th percentile $49,280
90th percentile $87,140
Employed locally 150
National median $76,290

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Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
in
Ames, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $49,280
    25th
    $61,920
    50th (median)
    $75,800
    75th
    $78,460
    90th
    $87,140

    Ames economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,090 2023 • Census ACS
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary vs area income 107% Median Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary is 7% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $150,650
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $133,190
    Carson City, NV $131,210
    Napa, CA $128,980
    Vallejo, CA $128,470
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $123,140

    Nearby metros — Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $119,580
    California $115,400
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $103,170
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $101,310
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $96,880
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $96,870

    Related occupations in Ames, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards$37,510
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$101,800
    Firefighters$86,140
    Correctional Officers and Jailers$58,410
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$23,920

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers make per hour in Ames?

    The median hourly wage for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Ames, IA is $36.44, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $41.83 or more per hour.

    Is Ames above or below average for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salaries?

    The median Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in Ames, IA is 0.6% below the national median of $76,290. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Ames?

    Entry-level Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (10th percentile) earn around $49,280 per year in Ames, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $61,920.