SOC 33-2011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Firefighters — Southeast Iowa
Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area · 7 metro areas compared
At $55,380, median pay for Firefighters in Southeast Iowa, IA tracks the national median of $59,280 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $55,380, median pay for Firefighters in Southeast Iowa, IA tracks the national median of $59,280 closely. Pay ranges from under $31,200 at the tenth percentile to more than $62,710 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $45,920 to $61,550.
Employment stands at 290, or 1.5 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Ames records the highest median at $86,010. Of the 420 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 199th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,200 | −47.4% |
| 25th | $45,920 | −22.5% |
| Median (50th) | $55,380 | −6.6% |
| 75th | $61,550 | +3.8% |
| 90th | $62,710 | +5.8% |
| Mean | $52,240 | −11.9% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ames | $86,010 | 60 | |
| 2 | Cedar Rapids | $61,370 | 170 | |
| 3 | Waterloo | $61,190 | 80 | |
| 4 | Davenport | $60,080 | 410 | |
| 5 | Sioux City | $60,030 | 110 | |
| 6 | Des Moines | $56,910 | 730 | |
| 7 | Iowa City | $50,600 | 90 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Southeast Iowa run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $55,380 goes as far as $63,075 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 6.4% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$55,380as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$63,075US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $55,380 a year, 6.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $31,200 to $62,710 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 290 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Ames, at $86,010.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Firefighters in Southeast Iowa, IA?
The median annual wage is $55,380, or $26.62 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $59,280, so pay in Southeast Iowa, IA is 6.6% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Southeast Iowa, IA earns more than $62,710 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $31,200 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Ames, at $86,010 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 290 jobs in this occupation in Southeast Iowa, IA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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