Firefighters pay in Iowa
In Iowa, the median pay for firefighters is $26.83 an hour ($55,810 a year). About 2,170 people work in this job there.
That is 6% lower than the U.S. median ($59,280). Iowa ranks 26th of 50 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for firefighters in Iowa
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $15.50 | $32,240 |
| 25% of workers | $22.12 | $46,020 |
| Half of workers (median) | $26.83 | $55,810 |
| 75% of workers | $30.42 | $63,280 |
| 90% of workers | $42.17 | $87,720 |
Firefighters pay in Iowa metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Ames | $86,010 | 60 |
| Cedar Rapids | $61,370 | 170 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | $61,190 | 80 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | $60,080 | 410 |
| Sioux City | $60,030 | 110 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $56,910 | 730 |
| Iowa City | $50,600 | 90 |
Iowa unemployment rate: 3.2% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for firefighters
- Typical education to start: Postsecondary nondegree award (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: None (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Long-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +3.7% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 26,800 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technicians | $40,660 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $25,460 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $87,830 |
| Paramedics | $60,590 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $76,010 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.