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Firefighter Salary in Iowa (2026)

Median Firefighter salary in Iowa is approximately $46,800/year — about 10.0% below the national average.

Annual salary breakdown

$46,800
median annual salary in Iowa
Hourly (40 hr/week, 52 wk)
2,080 hours/year
$23
Weekly
$900
Biweekly (26 paychecks)
$1,800
Monthly
$3,900
Annual (gross)
$46,800

After-tax estimate

$34,328
estimated take-home/year
Gross salary
$46,800
Federal income tax (est.)
~14% effective
−$6,552
FICA (7.65%)
−$3,580
Iowa state tax (est.)
Approximate effective rate
−$2,340
Estimated take-home
$34,328
Monthly take-home
$2,861
For exact take-home, use our Iowa Paycheck Calculator.
Firefighter salary by similar state (cost-of-living adjusted)
StateEstimated annualvs Iowa
Louisiana$46,800+$0
Missouri$46,800+$0
Indiana$47,300+$500
Kansas$47,300+$500
Other Public Safety jobs in Iowa
Police Officer
$62,100/yr

Firefighter salaries in Iowa, explained

The estimated median Firefighter salary in Iowa is $46,800/year, which is about 10.0% below the US national median of $52,000. That works out to roughly $23/hour at a standard 40-hour week, $900/week, $1,800/biweekly, or $3,900/month before taxes.

Iowa ranks 43 of 51 US states (including DC) on a cost-of-living-adjusted compensation basis. The state multiplier of 0.90× reflects how typical wages adjust to local prices — higher in places like California, New York, and Massachusetts; lower in Mississippi, West Virginia, and Arkansas.

What affects your actual salary

  • Experience level: entry-level often 25–35% below median, senior roles 40–60%+ above.
  • Metro area within Iowa: major metros pay more than rural areas. Bay Area vs Central Valley California is a 30%+ swing.
  • Employer size: large companies typically pay 10–20% more than small businesses for the same role.
  • Industry: a Software Engineer at a tech company makes more than at a non-tech employer; a Marketing Manager at a top brand earns more than at a startup.
  • Education and credentials: degrees and certifications can shift compensation by 15–30%.
  • Negotiation: simply asking for more and negotiating can move offers 5–15%.

Take-home pay in Iowa

Of the gross $46,800, you take home roughly $34,328 after federal income tax (~14% effective at this income level), FICA (7.65%), and Iowa's state income tax (roughly 5% effective). That's about $2,861/month after-tax.

For a precise after-tax calculation including 401(k) contributions, HSA, filing status, and state-specific brackets, use our Iowa Paycheck Calculator. For comparisons across cities, see the Paycheck Calculator with city-specific tax data.

Where this number comes from

Our estimate combines: (1) US national median for Firefighter based on Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, and (2) Iowa's cost-of-living multiplier derived from BEA Regional Price Parities. The multiplier captures average wage adjustment to local prices — useful for budgeting and offer comparisons.

For more precise numbers specific to your role and metro: BLS OES (bls.gov/oes), Glassdoor, Levels.fyi (tech roles), salary.com, or LinkedIn Salary Insights. Cross-reference 2-3 sources before negotiation.

Related tools

Salary Calculator — convert hourly to annual. Iowa Paycheck Calculator — exact take-home. Income Tax Calculator — federal tax with brackets. Iowa Mortgage Calculator — what you can afford. Investment Calculator — long-term growth from this income.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Firefighter salary in Iowa?▾
The estimated median Firefighter salary in Iowa is $46,800 per year, or approximately $23/hour at 40 hours per week. Real-world salaries vary by experience (entry-level often 30% lower, senior 40-60% higher), employer, and metro area within Iowa.
How does this compare to the national Firefighter salary?▾
The US national median for Firefighter is approximately $52,000. Iowa comes in at 10.0% below the national average, ranking 43 of 51 by cost-of-living-adjusted compensation.
What's the hourly equivalent for $46,800/year?▾
$46,800/year ÷ 2,080 hours = approximately $23/hour at standard full-time (40 hours × 52 weeks). Adjust for unpaid time off, overtime, or different schedules.
What's the after-tax take-home for Firefighter in Iowa?▾
Estimate: $34,328/year after federal income tax (~14% effective at this income), FICA (7.65%), and Iowa state tax. Use our Paycheck Calculator for state-specific accuracy with your actual deductions, 401(k), and filing status.
How accurate are these salary estimates?▾
These are population-level estimates based on national medians adjusted for Iowa's cost-of-living index. Real salaries depend on metro area (Bay Area vs rural California is 30%+ difference), employer size, years of experience, and specific role. For precise data, check Bureau of Labor Statistics OES, Glassdoor, Levels.fyi, or salary.com.