Emergency Medical Technicians Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $43,180 +4.5% vs national
Median hourly $20.76
10th percentile $33,340
90th percentile $75,210
Employed locally 160
National median $41,340

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Emergency Medical Technicians
in
Des Moines, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $33,340
    25th
    $39,050
    50th (median)
    $43,180
    75th
    $59,170
    90th
    $75,210

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Emergency Medical Technicians salary vs area income 51% Median Emergency Medical Technicians salary is 49% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Emergency Medical Technicians

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Lexington Park, MD $68,160
    Alaska nonmetropolitan area $64,780
    Urban Honolulu, HI $63,880
    Hawaii $61,310
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $60,560
    Redding, CA $60,120

    Nearby metros — Emergency Medical Technicians salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Iowa City, IA $50,340
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $49,660
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $47,670
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $47,050
    Northwest Virginia nonmetropolitan area $46,500
    Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA $46,480

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses$78,970
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$61,120
    Pharmacy Technicians$43,610
    Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other$47,630
    Medical Records Specialists$52,370
    Physical Therapists$98,110

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Emergency Medical Technicians make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Emergency Medical Technicians in Des Moines, IA is $20.76, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $34.99 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Emergency Medical Technicians salaries?

    The median Emergency Medical Technicians salary in Des Moines, IA is 4.5% above the national median of $41,340. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Emergency Medical Technicians in Des Moines?

    Entry-level Emergency Medical Technicians (10th percentile) earn around $33,340 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $39,050.