Emergency Medical Technician salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Emergency Medical Technicians in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $43,500 a year ($20.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,740 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $44,470. Pay here is 7% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $40,660. There are 0.72 emergency medical technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.62). The average (mean) salary is $46,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for emergency medical technicians in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,160 | $17.38 |
| 25th percentile | $36,160 | $17.38 |
| Median | $43,500 | $20.91 |
| 75th percentile | $54,070 | $26.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| Average (mean) | $46,410 | $22.31 |
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 | $3,625 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,812.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,673.08 |
| Weekly | $836.54 |
| Hourly | $20.91 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Emergency Medical Technician salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA | $52,210 | 70 |
| Ames, IA | $46,000 | 30 |
| 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 |
See Emergency Medical Technician pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $59,950 | $28.82 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $40,950 | $19.69 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $47,800 | $22.98 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $64,370 | $30.95 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $46,570 | $22.39 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $47,680 | $22.92 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $45,210 | $21.74 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $80,620 | $38.76 |
| Paramedic | $62,350 | $29.98 |
| Surgical Technologist | $59,910 | $28.80 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $44,930 | $21.60 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $39,270 | $18.88 |
| Registered Nurse | $76,920 | $36.98 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,330 | $60.73 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for emergency medical technicians in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $43,500 a year, or $20.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid emergency medical technicians make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of emergency medical technicians in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $60,740 a year. The top 25% earn $54,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for emergency medical technicians in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,160 a year, and a quarter of emergency medical technicians earn $36,160 or less.
How many emergency medical technicians work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 60 emergency medical technicians are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.