Based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data — updated August 12, 2026.
| Iowa | National | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $55,810 | $62,011 | -10% |
| Median hourly wage | $26.83 | $29.81 | -10% |
Adjusted for local price levels (100 = national average), the cost-adjusted median is $63,565.
| City | Median | Entry Level | Experienced | Cost of Living |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City-level data coming soon. | ||||
The median annual salary for a Firefighter in Iowa is $55,810, or about $26.83 per hour, according to BLS OEWS data.
The national median for Firefighters is $62,011. Iowa is -10% below the national median.
Entry-level firefighters in Iowa typically earn from varies by experience depending on the city and employer.
With 2,170 firefighter jobs on record and a median salary of $55,810, Iowa offers competitive pay compared to the rest of the country.