Paramedic salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Paramedics in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $62,350 a year ($29.98 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,350 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $60,600. Pay here is 3% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $60,590. There are 0.52 paramedics per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $60,230, close to the median.
Pay range for paramedics in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,000 | $23.08 |
| 25th percentile | $52,520 | $25.25 |
| Median | $62,350 | $29.98 |
| 75th percentile | $62,350 | $29.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,350 | $29.98 |
| Average (mean) | $60,230 | $28.96 |
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 | $5,195.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,597.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,398.08 |
| Weekly | $1,199.04 |
| Hourly | $29.98 |
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 |
| 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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $59,950 | $28.82 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $40,950 | $19.69 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $47,800 | $22.98 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $64,370 | $30.95 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $46,570 | $22.39 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $47,680 | $22.92 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $43,500 | $20.91 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $45,210 | $21.74 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $80,620 | $38.76 |
| Surgical Technologist | $59,910 | $28.80 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $44,930 | $21.60 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $39,270 | $18.88 |
| Registered Nurse | $76,920 | $36.98 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,330 | $60.73 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical 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 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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for paramedics in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $62,350 a year, or $29.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paramedics make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of paramedics in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $62,350 a year. The top 25% earn $62,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for paramedics in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,000 a year, and a quarter of paramedics earn $52,520 or less.
How many paramedics work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 40 paramedics are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.