How Much Does an EMT Make in Iowa in 2026?

A typical EMT in Iowa earns about $19.55 per hour, or $40,660 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That breaks down to roughly $3,388 a month and $782 a week, figures calculated from the annual number. Pay in this range covers EMTs working for ambulance services, fire departments, and hospitals across the state. Actual earnings still depend on the employer, the city, and years on the job.

Iowa's typical EMT pay sits 9% below the national figure of $44,470 a year, based on the same May 2025 data. That places the state 29th among the 51 states and jurisdictions ranked for EMT pay. Iowa employs 1,510 EMTs, a modest workforce next to larger states, so individual cities can vary more sharply from the state figure. The gap with the national number tracks Iowa's lower cost of living compared with higher-paying states.

Entry-level positions in Iowa typically offer around $17.12 an hour, or about $35,600 a year, for EMTs just starting out. Pay tends to move toward the typical $19.55 an hour within the first few years on the job. New hires often start in smaller departments or rural services before moving to busier city systems. Iowa City and other higher-paying cities tend to draw more experienced EMTs.

Experienced EMTs in Iowa often earn upwards of $23.02 an hour ($47,870 a year), and the top 10% make over $28.89 an hour, or $60,080 a year. That leaves a spread of $24,480 between entry-level and top pay. The difference usually comes down to years on the job, the type of employer, and the city, with places like Iowa City and Ames paying well above the state figure.

Iowa's typical EMT pay rose from $29,280 in 2021 to $40,660 in 2025, a gain of $11,380, or about 39%, over that stretch of years. That rise was steady each year, climbing from $34,330 in 2022 to $37,620 in 2023 and $39,260 in 2024 before reaching this year's figure. The gains reflect broader wage growth across emergency medical services rather than any single year's jump.

Nationally, EMT pay rose 25% over that same stretch, according to the same wage data, making Iowa's climb faster in percentage terms despite starting from a lower base. Iowa still pays less than the national figure overall, but the trend shows steady increases rather than stagnation. Someone starting as an EMT in Iowa today enters a field where pay has moved up consistently in recent years, though future increases are not guaranteed.

Iowa City pays EMTs the most in the state, with typical pay reaching $52,210 a year ($25.10 an hour), about 28% above the state figure. Ames follows at $46,000 a year, and Cedar Falls and Waterloo both post $43,500. These figures cover each city's full metro area, not just the city limits. Pay tends to run higher in college towns and larger metro markets than in smaller communities.

Davenport pays the least among Iowa's largest cities, at $39,830 a year ($19.15 an hour), a spread of $12,380 between the highest- and lowest-paying cities tracked. West Des Moines has the largest EMT workforce in the state, with 280 EMTs earning $42,470 a year there. Cities with higher pay generally also carry higher living costs, so a bigger paycheck doesn't always stretch further.

Among Iowa's neighbors, Minnesota pays the most at $48,090 a year, 18% above Iowa's figure. Wisconsin ($43,060), Illinois ($42,260), Missouri ($42,160), and Nebraska ($41,710) all pay close to Iowa's figure, each within 3% to 6% higher. South Dakota pays the least, at $36,800, about 9% below Iowa. EMT licensure earned in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state.

Iowa's typical EMT pay stands at $40,660 a year ($19.55 an hour) as of May 2025, up from $29,280 just a few years earlier. Pay varies by city, employer, and experience, with Iowa City and West Des Moines offering some of the more common paths for higher earnings. Readers weighing a move into the field can check Iowa's EMT licensing and registry requirements, and compare local pay using the city-level figures covering Iowa's largest metro areas.