Paramedic salary in Iowa
Paramedics in Iowa earn a median of $60,590 a year ($29.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,170 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,140 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $60,600. Iowa ranks 23rd of 51 states for paramedics pay. There are 0.75 paramedics per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $60,770, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for paramedics in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,750 | $22.96 |
| 25th percentile | $52,200 | $25.10 |
| Median | $60,590 | $29.13 |
| 75th percentile | $65,470 | $31.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,140 | $37.57 |
| Average (mean) | $60,770 | $29.22 |
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 | $5,049.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,524.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,330.38 |
| Weekly | $1,165.19 |
| Hourly | $29.13 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Paramedic salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA | $66,090 | 150 |
| Ames, IA | $62,920 | 40 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $62,630 | $30.11 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $44,860 | $21.57 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $54,260 | $26.09 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $65,930 | $31.70 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $50,640 | $24.35 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $47,910 | $23.04 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $40,660 | $19.55 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $45,560 | $21.90 |
| Surgical Technologist | $60,540 | $29.11 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $44,480 | $21.39 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $86,480 | $41.58 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $42,910 | $20.63 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $44,030 | $21.17 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $78,850 | $37.91 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for paramedics in Iowa is $60,590 a year, or $29.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paramedics make in Iowa?
The top 10% of paramedics in Iowa earn at least $78,140 a year. The top 25% earn $65,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for paramedics in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,750 a year, and a quarter of paramedics earn $52,200 or less.
How many paramedics work in Iowa?
About 1,170 paramedics are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.