Firefighters Salary in Ames, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Ames, IA

Median annual salary $86,140 +44.7% vs national
Median hourly $41.41
10th percentile $37,430
90th percentile $86,140
Employed locally 60
National median $59,530

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Firefighters
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Ames, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,430
    25th
    $56,150
    50th (median)
    $86,140
    75th
    $86,140
    90th
    $86,140

    Ames economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,090 2023 • Census ACS
    Firefighters salary vs area income 121% Median Firefighters salary is 21% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Firefighters

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $164,940
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $121,270
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $108,320
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $105,250
    Vallejo, CA $104,460
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $102,220

    Nearby metros — Firefighters salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $90,180
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $88,860
    California $83,400
    District of Columbia $79,430
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $78,980
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $75,590

    Related occupations in Ames, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $37,510
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $75,800
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $101,800
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $58,410
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $23,920

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Firefighters make per hour in Ames?

    The median hourly wage for Firefighters in Ames, IA is $41.41, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $41.35 or more per hour.

    Is Ames above or below average for Firefighters salaries?

    The median Firefighters salary in Ames, IA is 44.7% above the national median of $59,530. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Firefighters in Ames?

    Entry-level Firefighters (10th percentile) earn around $37,430 per year in Ames, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $56,150.