Paramedic salary in Ames, IA
Paramedics in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $62,920 a year ($30.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,120 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $60,600. Pay here is 4% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $60,590. There are 0.76 paramedics per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $61,890, close to the median.
Pay range for paramedics in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,650 | $23.39 |
| 25th percentile | $48,650 | $23.39 |
| Median | $62,920 | $30.25 |
| 75th percentile | $63,750 | $30.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,120 | $38.52 |
| Average (mean) | $61,890 | $29.75 |
Half of paramedics 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 | $5,243.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,621.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,420 |
| Weekly | $1,210 |
| Hourly | $30.25 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Paramedic salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA | $66,090 | 150 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $62,350 | 40 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $61,980 | 190 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $56,130 | 210 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $55,130 | 90 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $53,310 | 50 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $51,660 | 130 |
Highest-paying states for paramedics
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $104,310 |
| New Jersey | $86,630 |
| Hawaii | $81,280 |
| District of Columbia | $78,550 |
| Connecticut | $77,480 |
| Minnesota | $76,300 |
| Oregon | $74,840 |
| California | $74,590 |
| New York | $73,200 |
| Alaska | $71,860 |
See Paramedic pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $50,730 | $24.39 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $65,610 | $31.55 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $39,310 | $18.90 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $56,380 | $27.10 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $66,760 | $32.09 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $49,850 | $23.97 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $48,060 | $23.11 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $40,860 | $19.64 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $82,110 | $39.48 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $46,000 | $22.12 |
| Registered Nurse | $77,160 | $37.09 |
| Dental Hygienist | $89,130 | $42.85 |
| Veterinarian | $118,240 | $56.85 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,600 | $61.34 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2043. 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 paramedic make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for paramedics in the Ames, IA metro area is $62,920 a year, or $30.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paramedics make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of paramedics in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $80,120 a year. The top 25% earn $63,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for paramedics in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,650 a year, and a quarter of paramedics earn $48,650 or less.
How many paramedics work in Ames, IA?
About 40 paramedics are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.