Firefighter salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Firefighters in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $56,910 a year ($27.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 730 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,370 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 2% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $55,810. There are 1.8 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $65,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,570 | $17.58 |
| 25th percentile | $46,500 | $22.35 |
| Median | $56,910 | $27.36 |
| 75th percentile | $87,720 | $42.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,370 | $49.70 |
| Average (mean) | $65,030 | $31.26 |
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 | $4,742.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,371.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,188.85 |
| Weekly | $1,094.42 |
| Hourly | $27.36 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | $86,010 | 60 |
| 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 |
| 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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $37,550 | $18.05 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $81,810 | $39.33 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $63,230 | $30.40 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $26,480 | $12.73 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $117,790 | $56.63 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $79,560 | $38.25 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $110,210 | $52.99 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $45,700 | $21.97 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,590 | $29.61 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $90,370 | $43.45 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $74,530 | $35.83 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $41,110 | $19.77 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, 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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for firefighters in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $56,910 a year, or $27.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $103,370 a year. The top 25% earn $87,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,570 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $46,500 or less.
How many firefighters work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 730 firefighters are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.