Firefighter salary in Iowa
Firefighters in Iowa earn a median of $55,810 a year ($26.83 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,170 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,720 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $59,280. Iowa ranks 26th of 50 states for firefighters pay. There are 1.4 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $57,240, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,240 | $15.50 |
| 25th percentile | $46,020 | $22.12 |
| Median | $55,810 | $26.83 |
| 75th percentile | $63,280 | $30.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $87,720 | $42.17 |
| Average (mean) | $57,240 | $27.52 |
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 | $4,650.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,325.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,146.54 |
| Weekly | $1,073.27 |
| Hourly | $26.83 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in cities in Iowa
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $81,860 | $39.35 |
| Security Guard | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $74,470 | $35.81 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $53,040 | $25.50 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $25,460 | $12.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $98,840 | $47.52 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $76,010 | $36.54 |
| School Bus Monitor | $32,740 | $15.74 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $79,560 | $38.25 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $46,560 | $22.39 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $74,420 | $35.78 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $35,750 | $17.19 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,590 | $29.61 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $41,240 | $19.83 |
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 Iowa?
The median salary for firefighters in Iowa is $55,810 a year, or $26.83 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Iowa?
The top 10% of firefighters in Iowa earn at least $87,720 a year. The top 25% earn $63,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,240 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $46,020 or less.
How many firefighters work in Iowa?
About 2,170 firefighters are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.