How Much Does a Paramedic Make in Ames, IA in 2026?
Typical pay for Paramedics in Ames, from federal wage data (May 2025), with the ten-year trend and how the city compares across Iowa.
BLS OES May 2025 · Ames metro area
A typical Paramedic in Ames, Iowa earns $30.25 per hour, or $62,920 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $5,243 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $48,650, and the top 10% of earners make over $80,120.
That pay is 4% above the Iowa figure of $60,590 and 4% above the national figure of $60,600. Ames ranks 2nd of 7 metro areas in Iowa for Paramedic pay. About 40 Paramedics work in the Ames area.
Paramedic pay in Ames at a glance
- Typical pay is $30.25 an hour, or $62,920 a year.
- That is 4% above the Iowa figure, ranking 2nd of 7 metro areas in the state.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $48,650; the top 10% make over $80,120.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does a Paramedic make in Ames?
Pay in Ames runs from entry-level positions at around $23.39 an hour to more than $38.52 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the Iowa and national figures.
Paramedic pay by career stage in Ames
| Career stage | Ames | Iowa | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $48,650$23.39 an hour | $47,750$22.96 an hour | $44,230$21.27 an hour |
| First years | $48,650$23.39 an hour | $52,200$25.10 an hour | $49,660$23.88 an hour |
| Typical Paramedic | $62,920$30.25 an hour | $60,590$29.13 an hour | $60,600$29.13 an hour |
| Experienced | $63,750$30.65 an hour | $65,470$31.48 an hour | $73,470$35.32 an hour |
| Top 10% | $80,120$38.52 an hour | $78,140$37.57 an hour | $84,850$40.80 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · city figures cover the Ames area as BLS defines it
Paramedic pay growth in Ames
Typical (median) annual wage for Paramedics in the Ames area · BLS OES May estimates, 2023 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
In 2023, typical Paramedic pay in Ames was $48,860 a year. By 2025 it had reached $62,920.
How Ames compares with other Iowa cities
Iowa City pays Paramedics the most in Iowa at $66,090 a year, $3,170 more than Ames. The lowest-paying area in the state is Davenport at $51,660.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Ames | Paramedics employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iowa City | $66,090 | $31.77 | +5% | 150 |
| 2 | Ames | $62,920 | $30.25 | this city | 40 |
| 3 | Cedar Falls metro incl. Waterloo | $62,350 | $29.98 | -1% | 40 |
| 4 | West Des Moines metro incl. Des Moines | $61,980 | $29.80 | -1% | 190 |
| 5 | Cedar Rapids | $55,130 | $26.51 | -12% | 90 |
| 6 | Sioux City | $53,310 | $25.63 | -15% | 50 |
| 7 | Davenport | $51,660 | $24.84 | -18% | 130 |
Every metro area in Iowa with Paramedic wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · Iowa typical pay $60,590
Is Ames a good place to work as a Paramedic?
Paramedic pay in Ames sits close to the national figure: $62,920 a year, 4% above the national rate. For every 1,000 jobs in the Ames area, about 0.7 are Paramedic positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 0.6. That makes the local economy more reliant on Paramedics than most places, and turnover keeps positions opening through the year.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Paramedic make in Ames, IA?
- A typical Paramedic in Ames earns $62,920 a year, or $30.25 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2025. Entry-level pay runs about $48,650 and the top 10% earn over $80,120.
- How much does a Paramedic make an hour in Ames?
- Typical hourly pay for Paramedics in Ames is $30.25. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $23.39, and the top 10% earn over $38.52 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a Paramedic in Ames?
- Entry-level Paramedic positions in Ames typically offer around $23.39 an hour, or $48,650 a year.
- Is Paramedic pay in Ames higher than in the rest of Iowa?
- Ames pay is 4% above the Iowa figure of $60,590 a year, ranking 2nd of 7 metro areas in the state. Iowa City pays the most in Iowa at $66,090.