Firefighter Salary in Des Moines, IA
Firefighters in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median $56,910 a year — 4% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $46,396 take-home, or $3,866 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median firefighter salary in Des Moines, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,649
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,528
- Medicare (1.45%)$825
- Iowa income tax$1,511
- Take-home pay$46,396
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.80% state
Firefighter pay by experience in Des Moines, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,570 | $17.58 | $30,826 | $2,569 |
| 25th percentile | $46,500 | $22.36 | $38,428 | $3,202 |
| Median (50th) | $56,910 | $27.36 | $46,396 | $3,866 |
| 75th percentile | $87,720 | $42.17 | $67,859 | $5,655 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,370 | $49.70 | $78,275 | $6,523 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $56,910 buys in Des Moines, IA
Prices in Des Moines, IA are 8.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 15% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median firefighter's $46,396 take-home pay has the buying power of $50,595 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Firefighter jobs are about as common in Des Moines, IA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.81).
Best-paying cities for firefighters, adjusted for cost of living
Des Moines, IA ranks #53 of 133 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $152,100 | $103,333 | $93,580 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $101,090 | $79,947 | $71,938 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $113,700 | $80,995 | $70,057 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $106,420 | $78,458 | $69,701 |
| 5 | Rochester, NY | $89,120 | $67,308 | $69,365 |
| 6 | Spokane, WA | $83,310 | $67,439 | $67,206 |
| 7 | Reno, NV | $81,360 | $66,067 | $65,404 |
| 8 | Sacramento, CA | $94,080 | $69,272 | $64,941 |
| 53 | Des Moines, IA | $56,910 | $46,396 | $50,595 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 133 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a firefighter make in Des Moines, IA?
The median firefighter salary in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $56,910 a year, or about $27.36 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $46,500 and $87,720.
What is a firefighter’s take-home pay in Des Moines, IA?
On the median $56,910 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $46,396 a year ($3,866 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,511 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Des Moines, IA a good place to work as a firefighter?
Pay here is 4% below the national median of $59,280. Local prices are 8.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $50,595 would in a typical U.S. city. Des Moines, IA ranks #53 of 133 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a firefighter afford rent in Des Moines, IA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Des Moines, IA is $1,092 a month ($1,302 for two bedrooms) — 28% of a median firefighter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Des Moines, IA
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $81,810
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $63,230
- Security Guard — $37,550