Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Iowa (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Emergency Medical Technicians in Iowa, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Iowa Median
$40,660
per year
Hourly Rate
$19.55
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-9% vs US median
US median $44,470
State Rank
#29 of 51
1,510 employed here

How much does an Emergency Medical Technician make in Iowa?

Emergency Medical Technicians in Iowa take home a median of $40,660 annually — roughly $19.55 an hour — which runs 9% below the national median of $44,470.

Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $35,600 while the top 10% make $60,080 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,030 and $47,870 a year.

Emergency Medical Technician salary range in Iowa

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$35,600$17.12
25th percentile (early career)$37,030$17.80
50th percentile (median)$40,660$19.55
75th percentile (experienced)$47,870$23.01
90th percentile (top earners)$60,080$28.88

How Iowa compares

Iowa ranks 29th out of 51 states and territories for Emergency Medical Technician pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Hawaii$66,410
2Alaska$57,440
3New Jersey$53,610
4Washington$52,690
5Rhode Island$51,290

Working as an Emergency Medical Technician in Iowa

Nationally, about 181,000 people work as Emergency Medical Technicians in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare Iowa pay ($40,660) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Emergency Medical Technician make in Iowa?
The median Emergency Medical Technician salary in Iowa is $40,660 per year, or about $19.55 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,600 at the entry level to $60,080 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Emergency Medical Technicians about 9% less than the national median of $44,470. Iowa ranks 29th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Emergency Medical Technicians?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $40,660 a year. About 1,510 Emergency Medical Technicians are employed in Iowa. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Emergency Medical Technician salary report

Related salaries

Medical Assistant

$45,690
median pay · 818,000 employed

Psychiatric Aide

$44,910
median pay · 36,000 employed

Paramedic

$60,600
median pay · 101,000 employed

Pharmacy Technician

$45,750
median pay · 472,000 employed

Home Health and Personal Care Aides

$35,800
median pay · 4,306,000 employed

Phlebotomist

$45,230
median pay · 144,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.