Firefighter salary in Iowa City, IA
Firefighters in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn a median of $50,600 a year ($24.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,000 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 9% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $55,810. There are 1.0 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.45). The average (mean) salary is $48,240, close to the median.
Pay range for firefighters in Iowa City, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,830 | $15.30 |
| 25th percentile | $34,070 | $16.38 |
| Median | $50,600 | $24.33 |
| 75th percentile | $57,000 | $27.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,000 | $27.40 |
| Average (mean) | $48,240 | $23.19 |
Half of firefighters 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 | $4,216.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,108.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,946.15 |
| Weekly | $973.08 |
| Hourly | $24.33 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $50,600 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Firefighter salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | $86,010 | 60 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $61,370 | 170 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $61,190 | 80 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $61,040 | 660 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $60,080 | 410 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $60,030 | 110 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $56,910 | 730 |
Highest-paying states for firefighters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $100,960 |
| Washington | $94,520 |
| California | $85,120 |
| New Jersey | $84,130 |
| Illinois | $78,380 |
| Connecticut | $77,630 |
| District of Columbia | $75,870 |
| Colorado | $74,170 |
| Maryland | $73,810 |
| Pennsylvania | $73,460 |
See Firefighter pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Iowa City, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $76,190 | $36.63 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $52,640 | $25.31 |
| Security Guard | $39,540 | $19.01 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $105,570 | $50.75 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $30,620 | $14.72 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $63,600 | $30.58 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Iowa City, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-2011. 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 firefighter make in Iowa City, IA?
The median salary for firefighters in the Iowa City, IA metro area is $50,600 a year, or $24.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Iowa City, IA?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn at least $57,000 a year. The top 25% earn $57,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Iowa City, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,830 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $34,070 or less.
How many firefighters work in Iowa City, IA?
About 90 firefighters are employed in the Iowa City, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.