Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $85,420 +12% vs national
Median hourly $41.07
10th percentile $61,320
90th percentile $104,630
Employed locally 1,120
National median $76,290

Compare Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary & buying power

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

    10th
    $61,320
    25th
    $71,690
    50th (median)
    $85,420
    75th
    $96,720
    90th
    $104,630

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary vs area income 101% Median Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary is 1% 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 Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $37,410
    Firefighters $51,580
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $56,590
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $117,020
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $26,520
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators $79,640

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Des Moines, IA is $41.07, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $50.23 or more per hour.

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

    The median Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in Des Moines, IA is 12% above 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 Des Moines?

    Entry-level Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (10th percentile) earn around $61,320 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $71,690.