How Much Does a Paramedic Make in West Des Moines, IA in 2026?
Typical pay for Paramedics in West Des Moines, from federal wage data (May 2025), with the ten-year trend and how the city compares across Iowa.
BLS OES May 2025 · Des Moines · West Des Moines metro area
A typical Paramedic in West Des Moines, Iowa earns $29.80 per hour, or $61,980 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $5,165 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $45,930, and the top 10% of earners make over $72,760.
That pay is 2% above the Iowa figure of $60,590 and 2% above the national figure of $60,600. West Des Moines ranks 4th of 7 metro areas in Iowa for Paramedic pay. About 190 Paramedics work in the Des Moines · West Des Moines area. West Des Moines is part of the Des Moines · West Des Moines metro area, and BLS reports pay for the metro as a whole, so Des Moines share these figures.
Paramedic pay in West Des Moines at a glance
- Typical pay is $29.80 an hour, or $61,980 a year.
- That is 2% above the Iowa figure, ranking 4th of 7 metro areas in the state.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $45,930; the top 10% make over $72,760.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does a Paramedic make in West Des Moines?
Pay in West Des Moines runs from entry-level positions at around $22.08 an hour to more than $34.98 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the Iowa and national figures.
Paramedic pay by career stage in West Des Moines
| Career stage | West Des Moines | Iowa | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $45,930$22.08 an hour | $47,750$22.96 an hour | $44,230$21.27 an hour |
| First years | $47,740$22.95 an hour | $52,200$25.10 an hour | $49,660$23.88 an hour |
| Typical Paramedic | $61,980$29.80 an hour | $60,590$29.13 an hour | $60,600$29.13 an hour |
| Experienced | $63,700$30.63 an hour | $65,470$31.48 an hour | $73,470$35.32 an hour |
| Top 10% | $72,760$34.98 an hour | $78,140$37.57 an hour | $84,850$40.80 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · city figures cover the Des Moines · West Des Moines area as BLS defines it
Paramedic pay growth in West Des Moines
Typical (median) annual wage for Paramedics in the Des Moines · West Des Moines area · BLS OES May estimates, 2021 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
In 2021, typical Paramedic pay in West Des Moines was $38,480 a year. By 2025 it had reached $61,980.
How West Des Moines compares with other Iowa cities
Iowa City pays Paramedics the most in Iowa at $66,090 a year, $4,110 more than West Des Moines. The lowest-paying area in the state is Davenport at $51,660.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs West Des Moines | Paramedics employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iowa City | $66,090 | $31.77 | +7% | 150 |
| 2 | Ames | $62,920 | $30.25 | +2% | 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 | this city | 190 |
| 5 | Cedar Rapids | $55,130 | $26.51 | -11% | 90 |
| 6 | Sioux City | $53,310 | $25.63 | -14% | 50 |
| 7 | Davenport | $51,660 | $24.84 | -17% | 130 |
Every metro area in Iowa with Paramedic wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · Iowa typical pay $60,590
Is West Des Moines a good place to work as a Paramedic?
Paramedic pay in West Des Moines sits close to the national figure: $61,980 a year, 2% above the national rate. For every 1,000 jobs in the Des Moines · West Des Moines area, about 0.5 are Paramedic positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 0.7. That makes Paramedics a smaller part of the local job market than usual, so employers draw from a smaller pool of qualified candidates.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Paramedic make in West Des Moines, IA?
- A typical Paramedic in West Des Moines earns $61,980 a year, or $29.80 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2025. Entry-level pay runs about $45,930 and the top 10% earn over $72,760.
- How much does a Paramedic make an hour in West Des Moines?
- Typical hourly pay for Paramedics in West Des Moines is $29.80. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $22.08, and the top 10% earn over $34.98 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a Paramedic in West Des Moines?
- Entry-level Paramedic positions in West Des Moines typically offer around $22.08 an hour, or $45,930 a year.
- Is Paramedic pay in West Des Moines higher than in the rest of Iowa?
- West Des Moines pay is 2% above the Iowa figure of $60,590 a year, ranking 4th of 7 metro areas in the state. Iowa City pays the most in Iowa at $66,090.