Firefighter salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Firefighters in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $61,190 a year ($29.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,010 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 10% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $55,810. There are 0.99 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.44). The average (mean) salary is $66,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,230 | $22.23 |
| 25th percentile | $61,190 | $29.42 |
| Median | $61,190 | $29.42 |
| 75th percentile | $85,010 | $40.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85,010 | $40.87 |
| Average (mean) | $66,280 | $31.87 |
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 | $5,099.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,549.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,353.46 |
| Weekly | $1,176.73 |
| Hourly | $29.42 |
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 |
| 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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $38,670 | $18.59 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $78,970 | $37.97 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $53,480 | $25.71 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $106,660 | $51.28 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $23,190 | $11.15 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $71,490 | $34.37 |
More: Protective Service 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 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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for firefighters in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $61,190 a year, or $29.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $85,010 a year. The top 25% earn $85,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,230 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $61,190 or less.
How many firefighters work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 80 firefighters are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.