EMT Salary in Iowa (2026)
$19.55 per hour · take-home ≈ $33,305/year ($2,775/month) for a single filer
Iowa ranks 29th of 51 states for EMT pay, with a median about 7% below the national average. Of the 1,510 EMT jobs BLS counts in Iowa, the typical worker earns $40,660 a year — though pay ranges from $35,600 for newcomers to $60,080 at the top.
EMT pay range in Iowa
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $35,600 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $37,030 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $40,660 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $47,870 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $60,080 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 1,510 EMT jobs in Iowa (occupation code 29-2042, “Emergency Medical Technicians”).
Gross vs. take-home in Iowa
A median EMT salary of $40,660 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus Iowa state income tax, a single filer keeps about $33,305 — an effective tax rate of 18.1%.
| Gross (median) | $40,660 |
| Federal income tax | −$2,699 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$3,110 |
| Iowa state income tax | −$1,545 |
| Take-home (annual) | $33,305 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $2,775 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Iowa paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a EMT make in Iowa?
- The median EMT salary in Iowa is $40,660 per year ($19.55 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $37,030 and $47,870.
- What is the take-home pay for a EMT in Iowa?
- On the median salary of $40,660, a single filer in Iowa takes home about $33,305 per year ($2,775 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 18.1%.
- How many EMT jobs are there in Iowa?
- BLS counts 1,510 EMT jobs in Iowa in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for EMTs
Other salaries in Iowa
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified Iowa state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for Iowa.