Iowa ranks 26th of 50 states and D.C. for firefighters pay, trailing top-paying Washington ($93,490) by $38,300 — a 69% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $34,970 to $87,840 — a $52,870 spread, 21% tighter than the national $66,840 range.
Firefighters are less concentrated in Iowa than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.61 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.64× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $34,970 | $16.81 |
| 25th percentile | $43,430 | $20.88 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $55,190 | $26.54 |
| 75th percentile | $65,240 | $31.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $87,840 | $42.23 |
| Mean (average) | $57,440 | $27.62 |
How Iowa Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa (current) | $55,190 | n/a |
| Washington | $93,490 | +69% |
| New York | $88,380 | +60% |
| New Jersey | $87,660 | +59% |
| California | $83,400 | +51% |
| District of Columbia | $79,430 | +44% |
| Illinois | $79,080 | +43% |
| Connecticut | $77,660 | +41% |
| Colorado | $76,560 | +39% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Iowa
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $55,080 | 37,430 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $55,030 | 2,080 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $55,350 | 1,820 |
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | $55,420 | 1,020 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $55,540 | 15,890 |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $54,720 | 820 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Firefighters salary in Iowa?
The mean firefighters salary in Iowa is $57,440 per year. The median (middle) salary is $55,190 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Firefighters in Iowa?
Entry-level firefighterss (10th percentile) in Iowa typically earn around $34,970 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $43,430 per year.
What is the highest Firefighters salary in Iowa?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Iowa make approximately $87,840 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $65,240 per year.
How does the Iowa Firefighters salary compare to the national average?
The median firefighters salary in Iowa is $55,190, which is -7% below national average of $59,530.