Emergency Medical Technician salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Emergency Medical Technicians in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $42,470 a year ($20.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,790 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $44,470. Pay here is 4% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $40,660. There are 0.70 emergency medical technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.61). The average (mean) salary is $48,100, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for emergency medical technicians in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,220 | $16.93 |
| 25th percentile | $36,980 | $17.78 |
| Median | $42,470 | $20.42 |
| 75th percentile | $57,910 | $27.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,790 | $34.99 |
| Average (mean) | $48,100 | $23.12 |
Half of emergency medical technicians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,539.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,769.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,633.46 |
| Weekly | $816.73 |
| Hourly | $20.42 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $42,470 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Emergency Medical Technician salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA | $52,210 | 70 |
| Ames, IA | $46,000 | 30 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $43,500 | 60 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $41,710 | 80 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $41,350 | 250 |
| Dubuque, IA | $41,260 | 40 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $40,160 | 150 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $39,830 | 160 |
Highest-paying states for emergency medical technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $66,410 |
| Alaska | $57,440 |
| New Jersey | $53,610 |
| Washington | $52,690 |
| Rhode Island | $51,290 |
| Connecticut | $50,640 |
| Massachusetts | $50,230 |
| Oregon | $49,270 |
| New York | $48,400 |
| Maryland | $48,100 |
See Emergency Medical Technician pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | $46,620 | $22.41 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $63,670 | $30.61 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $50,240 | $24.16 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $67,640 | $32.52 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $49,960 | $24.02 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $54,270 | $26.09 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $39,750 | $19.11 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $46,080 | $22.16 |
| Surgical Technologist | $62,250 | $29.93 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $47,780 | $22.97 |
| Paramedic | $61,980 | $29.80 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $87,080 | $41.87 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $48,570 | $23.35 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $78,850 | $37.91 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2042. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a emergency medical technician make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for emergency medical technicians in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $42,470 a year, or $20.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid emergency medical technicians make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of emergency medical technicians in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $72,790 a year. The top 25% earn $57,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for emergency medical technicians in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,220 a year, and a quarter of emergency medical technicians earn $36,980 or less.
How many emergency medical technicians work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 280 emergency medical technicians are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.