verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Firefighter Salary in Iowa

Median Annual in Iowa
$55,810/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$26.83/hr
▼ 6% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Iowa

groups Employed in IA
2,170
public U.S. Median
$59,280
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$63,592 #18 of 50

Firefighter pay in Iowa, explained

Firefighters in Iowa earn a median of $55,810 per year ($26.83 per hour), which is 6% below the national median of $59,280. Entry-level workers earn around $32,240, while the most experienced firefighters reach about $87,720. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Iowa.

Is $55,810 good pay in Iowa?

Adjusted for Iowa's cost of living (which runs 88% of the U.S. average), that $55,810 is worth about $63,592 in national buying power — ranking Iowa #18 for real pay (vs #26 on the sticker number).

See the full Firefighter Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Firefighter pay by experience in Iowa

Entry level (10th pct)
$32,240
$15.50/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$55,810
$26.83/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$87,720
$42.17/hr

Firefighter pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs IA
Iowa (here) $55,810 $63,592
Illinois $78,380 $78,413 −$22,570
Nebraska $61,040 $67,745 −$5,230
Missouri $49,080 $54,043 +$6,730
South Dakota $48,160 $54,365 +$7,650
Wisconsin $46,850 $49,790 +$8,960
Minnesota $38,110 $38,643 +$17,700

Firefighter in Iowa: FAQ

How much do firefighters make in Iowa?

Firefighters in Iowa earn a median of $55,810 per year ($26.83 per hour), compared with $59,280 nationally.

Does Iowa pay firefighters well?

At $55,810, Iowa pays 6% below the national median for firefighters. An estimated 2,170 work in the state.

Firefighter salary in other states

All 50 states ranked arrow_forward

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