Paramedic Salary in Iowa (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Iowa Median
$60,590
per year
Hourly Rate
$29.13
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+-0% vs US median
US median $60,600
State Rank
#23 of 51
1,170 employed here

How much does a Paramedic make in Iowa?

Paramedics in Iowa take home a median of $60,590 annually — roughly $29.13 an hour — which runs 0% above the national median of $60,600.

Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $47,750 while the top 10% make $78,140 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $52,200 and $65,470 a year.

Paramedic salary range in Iowa

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$47,750$22.96
25th percentile (early career)$52,200$25.10
50th percentile (median)$60,590$29.13
75th percentile (experienced)$65,470$31.48
90th percentile (top earners)$78,140$37.57

How Iowa compares

Iowa ranks 23rd out of 51 states and territories for Paramedic pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Washington$104,310
2New Jersey$86,630
3Hawaii$81,280
4District of Columbia$78,550
5Connecticut$77,480

Working as a Paramedic in Iowa

Nationally, about 101,000 people work as Paramedics in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare Iowa pay ($60,590) 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 Paramedic make in Iowa?
The median Paramedic salary in Iowa is $60,590 per year, or about $29.13 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,750 at the entry level to $78,140 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Paramedics about 0% more than the national median of $60,600. Iowa ranks 23rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Paramedics?
Yes on pay — Iowa pays above the national median for this occupation, at $60,590 a year. About 1,170 Paramedics are employed in Iowa. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
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 Paramedic salary report

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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.