Average salary in Iowa
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
The average salary in Iowa is $59,830 a year and the median is $48,540, across 1,559,240 jobs (BLS May 2025). Iowa ranks #42 of 51 for average pay.
| Average (mean) salary | $59,830 |
| Median salary | $48,540 |
| Median hourly wage | $23.34 |
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $28,930 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $99,630 |
| Take-home on the average salary (single, 2026) | $48,632 |
Highest-paying jobs in Iowa
- Physician: $295,190
- Family Medicine Physician: $265,200
- Chief Executive: $211,190
- Dentist: $181,520
- Architectural and Engineering Manager: $147,320
- Computer and Information Systems Manager: $143,780
- Pharmacist: $138,860
- Physician Assistant: $134,770
- Sales Manager: $134,010
- Financial Manager: $133,320
- Airline Pilot: $131,730
- Marketing Manager: $131,120
- Nurse Practitioner: $130,160
- Health Specialties Teacher: $128,490
- Manager: $128,080
- Human Resources Manager: $126,370
- Veterinarian: $124,610
- Lawyer: $123,550
- Purchasing Manager: $121,580
- Information Security Analyst: $119,710
Most common jobs in Iowa
| Job | Employed | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Cashier | 41,450 | $28,970 |
| Retail Salesperson | 41,000 | $31,360 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | 40,290 | $28,390 |
| Truck Driver | 35,040 | $58,070 |
| Registered Nurse | 34,420 | $78,630 |
| Laborer and Freight | 30,890 | $43,490 |
| General and Operations Manager | 30,760 | $87,690 |
| Customer Service Representative | 30,100 | $46,090 |
| Stocker and Order Filler | 26,770 | $36,640 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aide | 25,800 | $36,080 |
| Teaching Assistant | 24,520 | $30,510 |
| Janitor and Cleaner | 23,960 | $35,380 |
| Office Clerk | 23,120 | $44,310 |
| CNA | 22,670 | $39,350 |
| Waiter and Waitress | 22,410 | $21,000 |
Estimate your own paycheck with the Iowa paycheck calculator.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all occupations). Highest-paying list covers the 300 largest occupations nationally.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average salary in Iowa?
$59,830 a year (mean of all jobs), with a median of $48,540 ($23.34/hour), per BLS May 2025. Iowa ranks #42 of 51.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
Physician ($295,190), Family Medicine Physician ($265,200), Chief Executive ($211,190), among the 300 most common occupations.
What is a good salary in Iowa?
Earning more than the median of $48,540 puts you above half of Iowa workers; the top 10% earn over $99,630.