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Paramedic Salary in Des Moines, Iowa

Updated 2026-04-05BLS 2024 data — be the first to add a local report

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$44,233/ year

Median Paramedic in Des Moines, IA

$27,732
10th
$33,820
25th
$44,233
Median
$56,960
75th
$69,491
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$44,233
Total compensation (est.)
$50,868
Bonus range
$1,900 – $7,680
Mean salary
$46,887

How This Compares

Des Moines, IA median
$44,233
Iowa median
$50,694-12.7%
National median
$49,700-11.0%

Cost of living in Des Moines is 0% below the national average. Salary of $44,233 here is equivalent to $44,233 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$31,848-28.0%
3-5 years
$40,252-9.0%
6-10 years
$49,541+12.0%
10+ years
$61,042+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$38,925-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$44,233
Enterprise (5,000+)
$52,195+18.0%

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Paramedic Salaries in Nearby Cities

Cedar Rapids, IA$49,700/yr
Davenport, IA$49,700/yr

Related Jobs in Des Moines

Registered Nurse$72,286/yr
Nurse Practitioner$110,965/yr
Physician Assistant$112,149/yr
Physical Therapist$86,971/yr
Occupational Therapist$82,930/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$21/hr
Monthly gross$3,686/mo
25th percentile$33,820/yr
75th percentile$56,960/yr

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Market Context

via FRED

Fed Funds Rate

Mar 2026

3.64%

Inflation (CPI)

year-over-year

2.4%+0.04

National Unemployment

Mar 2026

4.3%-0.10

Iowa Unemployment

Dec 2025

3.5%

Avg Hourly Earnings

all private workers

$37.38+$0.09

10yr Treasury

Apr 2026

4.31%

Source: St. Louis Fed (FRED). Updated daily.

Paramedic Salaries by City

Compare all US cities →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Paramedic salary in Des Moines?

The median Paramedic salary in Des Moines is $44,233 per year, with a range from $33,820 at the 25th percentile to $56,960 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

How does Paramedic pay in Des Moines compare to the national average?

Paramedic salaries in Des Moines are 11% below the national median of $49,700. After adjusting for Des Moines's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $44,233 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect Paramedic salaries in Des Moines?

In Des Moines, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level Paramedic roles start around $27,732, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $69,491 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is Des Moines a good place for Paramedic jobs?

Des Moines offers a Paramedic median of $44,233, which is 11% below the US median of $49,700. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — Des Moines is 0% cheaper than the national average, so factor that into your math.

How do I negotiate a higher Paramedic salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for Paramedic in Des Moines is $56,960, which is a defensible anchor for a negotiation. Come in with a specific number backed by real market data — not a range — and reference your experience tier. If you're above the median, ask for the 75th percentile. If you're already at the 75th, push for total comp improvements like equity or bonus instead.