Public Safety Telecommunicators Salary in Iowa
The median pay for a public safety telecommunicators in Iowa is $52,380/year ($25.18/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $33K at the entry level to $67K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Iowa. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $52K get you in Iowa?
About public safety telecommunicators
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Iowa
Entry-level public safety telecommunicators (10th percentile) start around $33K. Mid-career wages sit at $52K. Top earners bring in $67K or more, a $34K spread from bottom to top.
Public Safety Telecommunicators salary by metro in Iowa
6 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | $61K | +16% | 40 |
| Ames | $57K | +8% | 40 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $56K | +7% | 250 |
| Iowa City | $56K | +6% | 40 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | $51K | -2% | 70 |
| Sioux City | $50K | -4% | 60 |
Compare to other states
Track public safety telecommunicators 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 public safety telecommunicators make in Iowa?
The median is $52,380 a year, that works out to about $25 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $32,640, and experienced public safety telecommunicators can clear $66,580. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $52K enough to live in Iowa?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,464/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,064/month, which eats 30.7% 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 public safety telecommunicators 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 public safety telecommunicators salary is worth about $58,947 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do public safety telecommunicators 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.