SOC 33-2011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Firefighters — Waterloo
Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA · 6 metro areas compared
The median wage for Firefighters in Waterloo, IA is $61,190 per year, close to the national median of $59,280 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Firefighters in Waterloo, IA is $61,190 per year, close to the national median of $59,280 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $61,190 and $85,010. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $46,230 and the ninetieth at $85,010.
Employment stands at 80, or 1.0 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Ames records the highest median at $86,010. Of the 309 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 117th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $46,230 | −22.0% |
| 25th | $61,190 | +3.2% |
| Median (50th) | $61,190 | +3.2% |
| 75th | $85,010 | +43.4% |
| 90th | $85,010 | +43.4% |
| Mean | $66,280 | +11.8% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ames | $86,010 | 60 | |
| 2 | Cedar Rapids | $61,370 | 170 | |
| 3 | Davenport | $60,080 | 410 | |
| 4 | Sioux City | $60,030 | 110 | |
| 5 | Des Moines | $56,910 | 730 | |
| 6 | Iowa City | $50,600 | 90 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Waterloo run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $61,190 goes as far as $69,692 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 17.6% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$61,190as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$69,692US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $61,190 a year, 3.2% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $46,230 to $85,010 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 80 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 Waterloo, IA?
The median annual wage is $61,190, or $29.42 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 Waterloo, IA is 3.2% higher. 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 Waterloo, IA earns more than $85,010 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $46,230 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 80 jobs in this occupation in Waterloo, 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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