How much does a Firefighter make in Iowa?

The average Firefighter salary in Iowa is around $80,000 per year. After federal taxes, FICA, and Iowa state taxes, your estimated take-home pay is approximately $62,682 annually ($5,223/month).

What is the take-home pay for a Firefighter in Iowa?

On a $80,000 salary in Iowa, your take-home pay is approximately $62,682/year or $5,223/month. Federal tax: $8,770. State tax: $2,428. FICA: $0.00.

Is $80,000 a good Firefighter salary?

$80,000 is a competitive salary for a Firefighter — above the national median. In Iowa, demand for this role is active.

How do Iowa taxes affect Firefighter salaries?

Iowa levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $80,000 is $2,428. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 21.6%.

What are the career growth prospects for Firefighters?

4% growth through 2032 (about as fast as average); EMT/paramedic dual-cert growing faster. Related roles include: Fire Captain, Fire Engineer, Paramedic Firefighter, Battalion Chief, Fire Marshal, HazMat Specialist.

How can a Firefighter in Iowa reduce their tax bill?

Maximize your 401(k) contribution ($24,500 in 2026) to reduce taxable income. An HSA ($4,400 single / $8,750 family) adds further pre-tax savings. These strategies can save thousands annually — use our calculator to see your exact savings.

Public Safety

Firefighter Salary in Iowa (2026)

The average Firefighter in Iowa earns around $80,000/year. After taxes, your estimated take-home is $62,682/year ($5,223/month).

Take-Home Pay Breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$62,682
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$5,223
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$2,411
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$30/hr
Federal Tax	$8,770
State Tax	$2,428
FICA Taxes	$6,120
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	21.65%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

Want to model 401(k), HSA, or pre-tax contributions against your full salary? Open the salary calculator →

Working overtime? The 2025 OBBBA deduction may save you up to $12,500 on federal tax. Open the No Tax on Overtime calculator →

1099 contract work or side gigs? Self-employment tax adds 15.3% on top. Open the 1099 tax calculator →

Key terms:···

Firefighter Salary Ranges in Iowa

Entry Level (0–3 yrs)

$52,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Mid Level (3–7 yrs)

$80,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Senior Level (7+ yrs)

$135,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Not all Firefighters earn the same — not even close

Iowa's firefighter market is anchored by Des Moines Fire Department (~350 sworn + IAFF Local 4 + the largest IA career fire department + the substantial DSM Fire post-2008 + post-2020 derecho response), Cedar Rapids Fire Department (~155 sworn + IAFF Local 11 + the substantial CRFD post-2008 Cedar River flood response + post-2020 derecho response), Davenport Fire Department + Iowa City Fire Department + Waterloo Fire Department + Sioux City Fire Department + Council Bluffs Fire Department + Ames Fire Department, the substantial IA wildland response (the substantial Iowa Department of Natural Resources DNR Iowa Wildland Fire + the substantial USFS + BLM IA + the substantial post-2024 IA wildfire response + the substantial IA prairie + savanna fire), Camp Dodge Johnston federal civilian fire + Iowa Army Ammunition Plant Burlington fire + Rock Island Arsenal IL-IA Quad Cities federal fire, plus IPERS Iowa Public Employees Retirement System pension.

Senior Captain / Battalion Chief (DSM / CRFD)

$82,000–$128,000+ OT

Senior officer at Des Moines + Cedar Rapids + Davenport + Iowa City · IAFF leadership + OBBBA OT

Senior Firefighter (Step 10+ / DSM / CRFD)

$58,000–$85,000+ OT

Senior FF at IA career fire departments · top-of-scale + OT premium

Senior Paramedic-Firefighter

$68,000–$98,000+ OT

Dual-cert FF/Paramedic · DSM + CRFD + Davenport + Iowa City · NREMT-Paramedic

Senior Wildland Firefighter

$55,000–$92,000+ OT + hazard

Iowa DNR + USFS + BLM IA · IA prairie + savanna + the substantial post-2024 wildfire response

Senior ARFF (DSM / Quad Cities / Cedar Rapids)

$65,000–$95,000+ OT

Des Moines + Quad Cities International + Cedar Rapids Eastern Iowa Airport ARFF

Senior Federal Firefighter (Iowa AAP / Camp Dodge)

$72,000–$108,000+ OT

Iowa Army Ammunition Plant Burlington + Camp Dodge Johnston · federal civilian + hazmat

Senior Federal Firefighter (Rock Island Arsenal QC)

$72,000–$108,000+ OT

Rock Island Arsenal IL-IA Quad Cities · federal civilian + the substantial USACE

Senior Industrial Firefighter (Ethanol / Ag)

$72,000–$108,000+ OT

IA ethanol facility + ag processing + the substantial industrial brigade

Senior Fire Inspector / Prevention

$62,000–$88,000

Fire prevention bureau · plan review + inspection + arson investigation · NFPA inspector

New Career Firefighter (Step 1-4)

$42,000–$58,000+ OT

New career FF · IPERS membership at hire · Step 1-4 band

Worth knowing: Iowa post-2008 Cedar Rapids flood + post-2020 derecho ~$11B recovery firefighter operations is one of the country's distinctive concentrated US single-state disaster response firefighter anchor and a feature most national firefighter surveys understate for IA. Cedar Rapids Fire Department + Des Moines Fire Department + Davenport Fire Department + Iowa City Fire Department (the substantial post-2008 June 13 Cedar Rapids flood ~$1.5B+ damage CRFD swift water rescue + the substantial 2016 Cedar Rapids flood second-largest IA flood CRFD response + the substantial August 10 2020 Iowa derecho ~$11B damage IA fire department wide-area response across Cedar Rapids + Marion + Hiawatha + the substantial post-2020 Iowa derecho fire department mutual aid + the substantial post-2024 Iowa flooding response) supports substantial IA disaster response firefighter work. Iowa Army Ammunition Plant IAAAP Burlington (the substantial federal civilian fire + ammunition plant hazmat + the substantial post-2024 IAAAP modernization) + Camp Dodge Johnston Iowa National Guard + Rock Island Arsenal IL-IA Quad Cities (USACE Rock Island District + arsenal federal fire) supports substantial IA federal civilian fire. The substantial IA wildland response (Iowa DNR Iowa Wildland Fire + USFS + BLM IA + the substantial IA prairie + savanna fire + the substantial post-2024 IA wildfire response) + the substantial IA ethanol facility + ag processing industrial brigade. IPERS Tier 2 hybrid pension. The 2025 No Tax on Overtime federal deduction applies through 2028. IA flat 3.8% + IA RTW since 1947 + IA inheritance tax repealed Jan 1 2025 anchor the IA firefighter proposition.