Firefighter salary in Ames, IA
Firefighters in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $86,010 a year ($41.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,010 for the top 10%. That is 45% higher than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 54% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $55,810. There are 1.1 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.48). The average (mean) salary is $72,370, close to the median.
Pay range for firefighters in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,440 | $18.48 |
| 25th percentile | $66,560 | $32.00 |
| Median | $86,010 | $41.35 |
| 75th percentile | $86,010 | $41.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,010 | $41.35 |
| Average (mean) | $72,370 | $34.80 |
Half of firefighters 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 | $7,167.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,583.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,308.08 |
| Weekly | $1,654.04 |
| Hourly | $41.35 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $61,370 | 170 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $61,190 | 80 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $61,040 | 660 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $60,080 | 410 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $60,030 | 110 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $56,910 | 730 |
| Iowa City, IA | $50,600 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for firefighters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $100,960 |
| Washington | $94,520 |
| California | $85,120 |
| New Jersey | $84,130 |
| Illinois | $78,380 |
| Connecticut | $77,630 |
| District of Columbia | $75,870 |
| Colorado | $74,170 |
| Maryland | $73,810 |
| Pennsylvania | $73,460 |
See Firefighter pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $37,430 | $17.99 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $73,840 | $35.50 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $102,930 | $49.49 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $58,410 | $28.08 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $23,640 | $11.37 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-2011. 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 firefighter make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for firefighters in the Ames, IA metro area is $86,010 a year, or $41.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $86,010 a year. The top 25% earn $86,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,440 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $66,560 or less.
How many firefighters work in Ames, IA?
About 60 firefighters are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.