How Much Does a Paramedic Make in Iowa in 2026?

A typical Paramedic in Iowa earns about $29.13 per hour, or $60,590 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That breaks down to roughly $5,049 a month and $1,165 a week, both calculated from the annual figure. Pay for individual paramedics still depends on city, employer, and years of experience. Those differences show up clearly across the state's largest metro areas.

Statewide typical pay in Iowa is almost identical to the national figure of $60,600, essentially matching the national rate rather than running above or below it. Among all states, Iowa ranks 23rd out of 51 for paramedic pay. About 1,170 paramedics work across the state, compared with roughly 100,610 nationwide.

Entry-level Paramedic positions in Iowa typically offer around $22.96 an hour, or about $47,750 a year. That range is common for paramedics just finishing certification and starting their first ambulance or fire-based EMS job. Within a few years, pay tends to move toward the statewide typical figure of $60,590. Experience, added certifications, and shift differentials all contribute to that climb.

Experienced Paramedics in Iowa often earn upwards of $65,470 a year, and the top 10% of earners make over $78,140. That leaves a spread of $30,390 between entry-level and top-earning paramedics in the state. Setting matters: hospital-based and critical care roles tend to pay more than smaller rural services. City, employer type, and years on the job together explain most of that gap.

Paramedic pay in Iowa has risen steadily in recent years. Typical pay climbed from $46,640 in 2021 to $60,590 in 2025, a gain of $13,950, or about 30%. That increase came gradually, with pay rising in each year from 2021 through 2025 rather than in one sudden jump.

That 30% rise closely tracks the national decade increase of 30% for paramedics, so Iowa's gains have kept pace with the country as a whole rather than falling behind. Nationally, typical paramedic pay has followed a similar upward path over the same years. For someone starting a paramedic career in Iowa now, recent history shows pay has moved upward, though future increases are not guaranteed.

Iowa City pays paramedics the most in the state, with typical pay of $66,090 a year, about 9% above the statewide figure. Ames and the Cedar Falls-Waterloo area follow closely, with typical pay of $62,920 and $62,350. Des Moines and West Des Moines both post typical pay of $61,980, just above the state figure. These figures reflect each city's full metro area.

At the other end, Davenport posts the lowest typical pay among Iowa's metro areas at $51,660 a year, a spread of $14,430 between the highest- and lowest-paying cities. West Des Moines has the largest paramedic workforce among the cities tracked, with 190 employed there. Cities with higher pay tend to also carry a higher cost of living, so the gap in take-home value is often smaller than the raw numbers suggest.

Iowa's typical paramedic pay compares closely with most neighbors. Minnesota pays the most nearby, at $76,300 a year, about 26% above Iowa, while South Dakota pays the least, at $48,830, about 19% lower. Illinois ($60,660), Wisconsin ($59,710), Missouri ($59,180), and Nebraska ($56,230) all fall within a few percentage points of Iowa's figure. Paramedic licensure earned in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, easing a move across state lines.

Typical paramedic pay in Iowa now stands at $60,590 a year, up 30% over the past five years and roughly in line with the national rate. Local pay can still vary by employer and specific role. Readers considering a move or new certification can check Iowa's EMS licensing and registry pages for requirements, and use city-level pages to compare local figures in a specific metro area.