Iowa Median
$56,770
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.29
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+7% vs US median
US median $53,040
State Rank
#23 of 51
980 employed here
How much does a Public Safety Telecommunicator make in Iowa?
Public Safety Telecommunicators in Iowa take home a median of $56,770 annually — roughly $27.29 an hour — which runs 7% above the national median of $53,040.
Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $47,340 while the top 10% make $72,000 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $50,620 and $63,260 a year.
Public Safety Telecommunicator salary range in Iowa
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,340 | $22.76 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $50,620 | $24.34 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $56,770 | $27.29 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $63,260 | $30.41 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,000 | $34.62 |
|
How Iowa compares
Iowa ranks 23rd out of 51 states and territories for Public Safety Telecommunicator pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Public Safety Telecommunicator salary in other states
California $80,120Washington $78,850Oregon $71,980Alaska $66,660Minnesota $66,550Colorado $63,520Connecticut $62,410Massachusetts $61,720New York $61,450Illinois $61,260Nevada $60,040Wisconsin $60,000North Dakota $59,940Vermont $59,470New Jersey $59,240District of Columbia $59,080Maryland $58,910Rhode Island $58,310New Hampshire $58,240Ohio $58,100Maine $57,250Hawaii $57,020Arizona $56,600Utah $54,120Michigan $53,310Delaware $53,140Idaho $51,780Wyoming $50,600Virginia $50,490Nebraska $50,270Florida $50,170Texas $50,040Pennsylvania $49,890New Mexico $49,060Indiana $49,050South Dakota $47,900Montana $47,640Missouri $46,990North Carolina $46,550Tennessee $46,390Kentucky $45,670Kansas $45,110South Carolina $43,540Georgia $42,790West Virginia $40,490Oklahoma $39,890Alabama $38,960Louisiana $38,550Arkansas $38,240Mississippi $34,510
Working as a Public Safety Telecommunicator in Iowa
Nationally, about 103,000 people work as Public Safety Telecommunicators in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Iowa pay ($56,770) 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 Public Safety Telecommunicator make in Iowa?
The median Public Safety Telecommunicator salary in Iowa is $56,770 per year, or about $27.29 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,340 at the entry level to $72,000 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Public Safety Telecommunicators about 7% more than the national median of $53,040. Iowa ranks 23rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Public Safety Telecommunicators?
Yes on pay — Iowa pays above the national median for this occupation, at $56,770 a year. About 980 Public Safety Telecommunicators 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 Public Safety Telecommunicator 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.