Iowa Median
$55,810
per year
Hourly Rate
$26.83
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-6% vs US median
US median $59,280
State Rank
#26 of 50
2,170 employed here
How much does a Firefighter make in Iowa?
A Firefighter working in Iowa earns a median salary of $55,810 per year, or about $26.83 per hour. That is 6% below the national median of $59,280 for this occupation.
Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $32,240 while the top 10% make $87,720 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,020 and $63,280 a year.
Firefighter salary range in Iowa
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,240 | $15.50 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $46,020 | $22.13 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $55,810 | $26.83 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $63,280 | $30.42 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $87,720 | $42.17 |
|
How Iowa compares
Iowa ranks 26th out of 50 states and territories for Firefighter pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Firefighter salary in other states
New York $100,960Washington $94,520California $85,120New Jersey $84,130Illinois $78,380Connecticut $77,630District of Columbia $75,870Colorado $74,170Maryland $73,810Pennsylvania $73,460Massachusetts $72,800Oregon $70,900Rhode Island $67,380Nevada $66,570Indiana $62,780Nebraska $61,040Texas $60,180Ohio $59,370Montana $59,310Arizona $59,280Alaska $58,830Virginia $58,670Florida $58,550Wyoming $58,090New Hampshire $56,620North Dakota $55,080Michigan $54,640Oklahoma $49,710Tennessee $49,300Missouri $49,080Utah $48,310Maine $48,290South Dakota $48,160Alabama $47,600Idaho $47,320Wisconsin $46,850Delaware $46,710Georgia $46,550Vermont $46,430Kansas $45,900South Carolina $42,570New Mexico $41,590Arkansas $39,690Minnesota $38,110North Carolina $37,940West Virginia $37,350Kentucky $37,150Mississippi $35,880Louisiana $33,120
Working as a Firefighter in Iowa
Nationally, about 346,000 people work as Firefighters in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Iowa pay ($55,810) 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 a Firefighter make in Iowa?
The median Firefighter salary in Iowa is $55,810 per year, or about $26.83 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $32,240 at the entry level to $87,720 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Firefighters about 6% less than the national median of $59,280. Iowa ranks 26th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Firefighters?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $55,810 a year. About 2,170 Firefighters 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 Firefighter salary report
Related salaries
$38,020
median pay · 1,283,000 employed
$74,060
median pay · 6,000 employed
$43,370
median pay · 10,000 employed
$42,540
median pay · 82,000 employed
$56,600
median pay · 17,000 employed
$58,940
median pay · 381,000 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.