Firefighter salary in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD
Firefighters in the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD metro area earn a median of $60,030 a year ($28.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,030 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 8% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $55,810. There are 1.5 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.67). The average (mean) salary is $54,540, close to the median.
Pay range for firefighters in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,580 | $19.51 |
| 25th percentile | $49,660 | $23.87 |
| Median | $60,030 | $28.86 |
| 75th percentile | $60,030 | $28.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,030 | $28.86 |
| Average (mean) | $54,540 | $26.22 |
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 | $5,002.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,501.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,308.85 |
| Weekly | $1,154.42 |
| Hourly | $28.86 |
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 |
| Lincoln, NE | $59,760 | 240 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $56,910 | 730 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $50,840 | 190 |
| Iowa City, IA | $50,600 | 90 |
| Rapid City, SD | $48,160 | 220 |
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 Sioux City, IA-NE-SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $38,480 | $18.50 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $78,940 | $37.95 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $49,510 | $23.80 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $105,000 | $50.48 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,080 | $13.50 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $76,960 | $37.00 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD
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 Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?
The median salary for firefighters in the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD metro area is $60,030 a year, or $28.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD metro area earn at least $60,030 a year. The top 25% earn $60,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,580 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $49,660 or less.
How many firefighters work in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?
About 110 firefighters are employed in the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.