Emergency Medical Technician salary in Iowa
Emergency Medical Technicians in Iowa earn a median of $40,660 a year ($19.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,510 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,080 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $44,470. Iowa ranks 29th of 51 states for emergency medical technicians pay. There are 0.97 emergency medical technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $44,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for emergency medical technicians in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,600 | $17.12 |
| 25th percentile | $37,030 | $17.80 |
| Median | $40,660 | $19.55 |
| 75th percentile | $47,870 | $23.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,080 | $28.89 |
| Average (mean) | $44,970 | $21.62 |
Half of emergency medical technicians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,388.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,694.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,563.85 |
| Weekly | $781.92 |
| Hourly | $19.55 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Emergency Medical Technician salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA | $52,210 | 70 |
| Ames, IA | $46,000 | 30 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $43,500 | 60 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $42,470 | 280 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $41,710 | 80 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $41,350 | 250 |
| Dubuque, IA | $41,260 | 40 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $40,160 | 150 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $39,830 | 160 |
Highest-paying states for emergency medical technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $66,410 |
| Alaska | $57,440 |
| New Jersey | $53,610 |
| Washington | $52,690 |
| Rhode Island | $51,290 |
| Connecticut | $50,640 |
| Massachusetts | $50,230 |
| Oregon | $49,270 |
| New York | $48,400 |
| Maryland | $48,100 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $62,630 | $30.11 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $44,860 | $21.57 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $54,260 | $26.09 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $65,930 | $31.70 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $50,640 | $24.35 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $47,910 | $23.04 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $45,560 | $21.90 |
| Paramedic | $60,590 | $29.13 |
| Surgical Technologist | $60,540 | $29.11 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $44,480 | $21.39 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $86,480 | $41.58 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $42,910 | $20.63 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $44,030 | $21.17 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $78,850 | $37.91 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2042. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a emergency medical technician make in Iowa?
The median salary for emergency medical technicians in Iowa is $40,660 a year, or $19.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid emergency medical technicians make in Iowa?
The top 10% of emergency medical technicians in Iowa earn at least $60,080 a year. The top 25% earn $47,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for emergency medical technicians in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,600 a year, and a quarter of emergency medical technicians earn $37,030 or less.
How many emergency medical technicians work in Iowa?
About 1,510 emergency medical technicians are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.