Paramedic salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Paramedics in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $61,980 a year ($29.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,760 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $60,600. Pay here is 2% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $60,590. There are 0.46 paramedics per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71). The average (mean) salary is $59,240, close to the median.
Pay range for paramedics in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,930 | $22.08 |
| 25th percentile | $47,740 | $22.95 |
| Median | $61,980 | $29.80 |
| 75th percentile | $63,700 | $30.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,760 | $34.98 |
| Average (mean) | $59,240 | $28.48 |
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 | $5,165 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,582.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,383.85 |
| Weekly | $1,191.92 |
| Hourly | $29.80 |
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 |
| Ames, IA | $62,920 | 40 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $62,350 | 40 |
| 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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | $46,620 | $22.41 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $63,670 | $30.61 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $50,240 | $24.16 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $67,640 | $32.52 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $49,960 | $24.02 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $54,270 | $26.09 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $39,750 | $19.11 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $42,470 | $20.42 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $46,080 | $22.16 |
| Surgical Technologist | $62,250 | $29.93 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $47,780 | $22.97 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $87,080 | $41.87 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $48,570 | $23.35 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $78,850 | $37.91 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical 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 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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for paramedics in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $61,980 a year, or $29.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paramedics make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of paramedics in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $72,760 a year. The top 25% earn $63,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for paramedics in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,930 a year, and a quarter of paramedics earn $47,740 or less.
How many paramedics work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 190 paramedics are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.