Average and median wage in Iowa
Half of the 1,559,240 workers in Iowa earn less than $48,540 a year, the median wage, while the average pay is $59,830, or $28.76 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% make $28,930 or less and the top 10% $99,630 or more. The average is 14% less than the U.S. average ($69,770) and the median 5% less than the U.S. median ($50,980).
- $29K10th
- $37K25th
- $49KMedian
- $70K75th
- $100K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Iowa per year | Per hour* | U.S. per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $59,830 | $28.76 | $69,770 |
| Median | $48,540 | $23.34 | $50,980 |
| 10th percentile | $28,930 | $13.91 | $31,200 |
| 25th percentile | $36,570 | $17.58 | $37,590 |
| 75th percentile | $70,290 | $33.79 | $80,520 |
| 90th percentile | $99,630 | $47.90 | $128,560 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Statewide figures include every employer in the state, metro and rural. Median vs. average salary · reading percentiles.
Average salary by city in Iowa
- Des Moines$65,970
- Iowa City$65,420
- Ames$61,910
- Davenport$61,900
- Cedar Rapids$60,700
- Dubuque$60,370
- Waterloo$56,540
- Sioux City$56,240
Map of Iowa metro areas
Loading map…
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Salary, take-home pay and cost of living by city
| City | Average | Median | Take-home* | Cost of living | Home value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | $65,970 | $51,820 | $53,279 | 92 | $296,070 |
| Iowa City | $65,420 | $50,060 | $52,868 | 92 | $302,063 |
| Ames | $61,910 | $50,220 | $50,184 | 89 | $280,269 |
| Davenport | $61,900 | $48,550 | $50,176 | 89 | $195,380 |
| Cedar Rapids | $60,700 | $49,360 | $49,258 | 89 | $244,344 |
| Dubuque | $60,370 | $48,750 | $49,005 | 87 | $279,463 |
| Waterloo | $56,540 | $47,430 | $46,073 | 87 | $200,191 |
| Sioux City | $56,240 | $47,030 | $45,843 | 86 | $225,213 |
*Average salary after federal and state income tax and payroll taxes for a single filer. Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.
Highest-paying jobs in Iowa
- Physicians, All Other · Dubuque$369,760
- Emergency Medicine Physicians · Des Moines$357,720
- Obstetricians and Gynecologists · Des Moines$354,830
- Family Medicine Physicians · Ames$320,880
- Physicians, All Other · Waterloo$316,870
- Family Medicine Physicians · Des Moines$310,640
- Psychiatrists · Des Moines$305,880
- Family Medicine Physicians · Davenport$301,650
- Anesthesiologists · Iowa City$300,280
- Physicians, All Other · Des Moines$283,770
Most common jobs in Iowa
| Job | Jobs statewide | Average | Median | Highest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cashiers | 41,450 | $30,200 | $28,970 | $32,010 |
| Retail Salespersons | 41,000 | $34,480 | $31,360 | $35,730 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 40,290 | $28,940 | $28,390 | $30,390 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | 35,040 | $60,070 | $58,070 | $77,940 |
| Registered Nurses | 34,420 | $80,540 | $78,630 | $85,670 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 30,890 | $43,520 | $43,490 | $45,160 |
| General and Operations Managers | 30,760 | $106,800 | $87,690 | $117,430 |
| Customer Service Representatives | 30,100 | $47,740 | $46,090 | $51,200 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | 26,770 | $38,680 | $36,640 | $39,220 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 25,800 | $36,940 | $36,080 | $39,090 |
Jobs, average and median: BLS statewide estimates. Highest city average: best-paid metro area we cover in the state.
Average salary by job family in Iowa
Iowa income tax and take-home pay
Take-home figures on these pages apply Iowa's 2026 income tax rules for a single filer with the standard deduction, plus federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security and Medicare. Iowa school district surtaxes (a percentage of state tax in some districts) are not included.
Iowa at a glance
Average salary in other states
- Alabama
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- Texas
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- Vermont
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- Washington, D.C.
- West Virginia
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Salary in Iowa: questions
What is the average salary in Iowa?
$59,830 a year across all jobs, according to BLS statewide estimates (OEWS, May 2025). That is 14% less than the U.S. average ($69,770).
What is the median salary in Iowa?
$48,540 a year: half of Iowa workers earn more and half earn less. The median is lower than the average because a minority of high earners lifts the average.
What is the average hourly wage in Iowa?
$28.76 an hour on average, and $23.34 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
Which city in Iowa pays the most?
Des Moines, with an average of $65,970 a year among the metro areas we cover.
Is Iowa expensive to live in?
BEA puts Iowa prices 12% below the U.S. average (price parity 87.8). Within the state, Des Moines 92, Iowa City 92, Davenport 89 are the most expensive metros.
Sources and how to read this page
- Statewide figures: BLS OEWS state estimates, May 2025, all occupations and every employer in the state (metro and rural areas).
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. City figures: the metro areas we cover in Iowa.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Population and median household income: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2023.
- Crime: FBI Crime Data Explorer, violent and property crimes reported by agencies statewide, latest 12 months available.
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