Paramedics Salary in Iowa
The median pay for a paramedics in Iowa is $53,470/year ($25.71/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $43K at the entry level to $71K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Iowa. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $53K get you in Iowa?
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Iowa
Entry-level paramedics (10th percentile) start around $43K. Mid-career wages sit at $53K. Top earners bring in $71K or more, a $28K spread from bottom to top.
Paramedics salary by metro in Iowa
7 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa City | $64K | +19% | 140 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | $58K | +8% | 60 |
| Cedar Rapids | $53K | -1% | 90 |
| Sioux City | $51K | -4% | 50 |
| Ames | $51K | -5% | 50 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | $50K | -7% | 100 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $49K | -8% | 140 |
Compare to other states
Track paramedics salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Iowa numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do paramedics make in Iowa?
The median is $53,470 a year, that works out to about $26 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $42,640, and experienced paramedics can clear $70,920. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $53K enough to live in Iowa?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,532/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,064/month, which eats 30.1% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a paramedics salary go in Iowa?
Iowa has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median paramedics salary is worth about $60,173 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do paramedics get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.