Paramedic salary in Iowa City, IA
Paramedics in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn a median of $66,090 a year ($31.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,140 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $60,600. Pay here is 9% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $60,590. There are 1.6 paramedics per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $67,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for paramedics in Iowa City, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,720 | $24.87 |
| 25th percentile | $63,270 | $30.42 |
| Median | $66,090 | $31.77 |
| 75th percentile | $78,140 | $37.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,140 | $37.57 |
| Average (mean) | $67,160 | $32.29 |
Half of paramedics 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 | $5,507.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,753.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,541.92 |
| Weekly | $1,270.96 |
| Hourly | $31.77 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $66,090 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Paramedic salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | $62,920 | 40 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $62,350 | 40 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $61,980 | 190 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $56,130 | 210 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $55,130 | 90 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $53,310 | 50 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $51,660 | 130 |
Highest-paying states for paramedics
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $104,310 |
| New Jersey | $86,630 |
| Hawaii | $81,280 |
| District of Columbia | $78,550 |
| Connecticut | $77,480 |
| Minnesota | $76,300 |
| Oregon | $74,840 |
| California | $74,590 |
| New York | $73,200 |
| Alaska | $71,860 |
See Paramedic pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Iowa City, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | $43,500 | $20.91 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $52,140 | $25.07 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $66,340 | $31.90 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $65,820 | $31.65 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $63,690 | $30.62 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $62,690 | $30.14 |
| Surgical Technologist | $58,930 | $28.33 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $86,940 | $41.80 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $52,210 | $25.10 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $45,210 | $21.74 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $46,000 | $22.12 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| Orthotists and Prosthetists | $95,290 | $45.81 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $42,730 | $20.54 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Iowa City, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2043. 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 paramedic make in Iowa City, IA?
The median salary for paramedics in the Iowa City, IA metro area is $66,090 a year, or $31.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paramedics make in Iowa City, IA?
The top 10% of paramedics in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn at least $78,140 a year. The top 25% earn $78,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for paramedics in Iowa City, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,720 a year, and a quarter of paramedics earn $63,270 or less.
How many paramedics work in Iowa City, IA?
About 150 paramedics are employed in the Iowa City, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.