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Average salary by job family in Dubuque
| Management | $120,160 |
|---|---|
| Architecture and Engineering | $102,410 |
| Legal | $93,410 |
| Computer and Mathematical | $92,230 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical | $92,020 |
| Business and Financial Operations | $82,540 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science | $75,570 |
| Construction and Extraction | $61,580 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair | $59,840 |
| Protective Service | $59,390 |
| Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media | $56,840 |
| Community and Social Service | $54,630 |
| Production | $52,820 |
| Educational Instruction and Library | $51,870 |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | $49,800 |
| Office and Administrative Support | $48,900 |
| Transportation and Material Moving | $48,090 |
| Sales and Related | $47,060 |
| Healthcare Support | $41,630 |
| Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance | $38,570 |
| Personal Care and Service | $34,050 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related | $31,150 |
Highest-paying jobs in Dubuque
- Physicians, All Other$369,760
- Chief Executives$240,840
- Dentists, General$175,850
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$165,210
- Sales Managers$149,870
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$145,620
- Pharmacists$141,300
- Financial Managers$140,710
- Nurse Practitioners$136,510
- Human Resources Managers$136,200
Most common jobs in Dubuque and what they pay
| Job | Jobs | Average salary | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customer Service Representatives | 1,880 | $48,670 | $46,670 |
| Retail Salespersons | 1,810 | $34,360 | $30,960 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 1,600 | $29,180 | $28,680 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | 1,310 | $58,690 | $58,470 |
| Registered Nurses | 1,280 | $79,120 | $76,790 |
| Cashiers | 1,240 | $31,270 | $30,500 |
| General and Operations Managers | 1,170 | $110,720 | $92,530 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 1,020 | $39,090 | $38,090 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | 1,020 | $39,010 | $36,850 |
| Nursing Assistants | 1,010 | $41,790 | $41,580 |
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Cost of living in Dubuque
Prices in the Dubuque area are 13% below the U.S. average, with a BEA price parity of 87.3 for 2024. The average local salary of $60,370 therefore buys what $69,130 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. A typical home is worth $279,463, 3.7 times the median household income of $75,919.
$279,463typical home value
$75,919median household income
87.3BEA price parity
98,948metro population
Take-home pay in Dubuque
| Salary level | Gross | After tax | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile wage | $36,950 | $31,077 | $2,590 |
| Median wage | $48,750 | $40,110 | $3,343 |
| Average wage | $60,370 | $49,005 | $4,084 |
| 75th percentile wage | $71,780 | $57,211 | $4,768 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Iowa school district surtaxes (a percentage of state tax in some districts) are not included.
Salaries for every job in Dubuque
Management20 jobs
- Chief Executives$241K
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$165K
- Sales Managers$150K
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$146K
- Financial Managers$141K
- Human Resources Managers$136K
- Marketing Managers$135K
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$125K
- Administrative Services Managers$123K
- Industrial Production Managers$116K
- Construction Managers$115K
- Medical and Health Services Managers$111K
- General and Operations Managers$111K
- Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$110K
- Managers, All Other$109K
- Facilities Managers$101K
- Food Service Managers$71K
- Social and Community Service Managers$68K
- Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$67K
- Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare$54K
Architecture and Engineering9 jobs
- Electrical Engineers$121K
- Industrial Engineers$105K
- Civil Engineers$100K
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval$97K
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians$77K
- Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians$75K
- Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians$70K
- Architectural and Civil Drafters$69K
- Mechanical Drafters$59K
Legal2 jobs
Computer and Mathematical9 jobs
- Software Developers$116K
- Computer Occupations, All Other$107K
- Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$106K
- Computer Systems Analysts$90K
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators$86K
- Data Scientists$84K
- Web and Digital Interface Designers$78K
- Computer Network Support Specialists$71K
- Computer User Support Specialists$64K
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical21 jobs
- Physicians, All Other$370K
- Dentists, General$176K
- Pharmacists$141K
- Nurse Practitioners$137K
- Physician Assistants$125K
- Occupational Therapists$93K
- Physical Therapists$93K
- Speech-Language Pathologists$87K
- Dental Hygienists$84K
- Registered Nurses$79K
- Respiratory Therapists$71K
- Radiologic Technologists and Technicians$70K
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$64K
- Surgical Technologists$63K
- Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$58K
- Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other$55K
- Medical Records Specialists$52K
- Emergency Medical Technicians$47K
- Opticians, Dispensing$46K
- Pharmacy Technicians$45K
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$42K
Business and Financial Operations22 jobs
- Personal Financial Advisors$116K
- Project Management Specialists$112K
- Labor Relations Specialists$103K
- Logisticians$98K
- Financial and Investment Analysts$89K
- Cost Estimators$85K
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other$84K
- Loan Officers$84K
- Management Analysts$84K
- Financial Specialists, All Other$82K
- Accountants and Auditors$80K
- Insurance Underwriters$79K
- Training and Development Specialists$78K
- Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists$75K
- Financial Examiners$75K
- Buyers and Purchasing Agents$72K
- Compliance Officers$72K
- Human Resources Specialists$71K
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$69K
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators$69K
- Tax Preparers$63K
- Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners$59K
Life, Physical, and Social Science1 jobs
Construction and Extraction9 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$78K
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$68K
- Electricians$65K
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$65K
- Highway Maintenance Workers$60K
- Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$59K
- Carpenters$59K
- Construction Laborers$54K
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance$51K
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair14 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$76K
- Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door$73K
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics$68K
- Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$68K
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$63K
- Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians$63K
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$62K
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$59K
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$59K
- Automotive Body and Related Repairers$55K
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$54K
- Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers$51K
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other$50K
- Tire Repairers and Changers$40K
Protective Service4 jobs
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media7 jobs
Community and Social Service7 jobs
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$64K
- Healthcare Social Workers$63K
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers$55K
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$54K
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$52K
- Rehabilitation Counselors$46K
- Social and Human Service Assistants$45K
Production26 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$77K
- Tool and Die Makers$66K
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators$63K
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers$58K
- Machinists$57K
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$55K
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators$53K
- Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$52K
- Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$51K
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$51K
- Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$49K
- Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$49K
- Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$49K
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$49K
- Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$49K
- Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$48K
- Production Workers, All Other$48K
- Food Batchmakers$48K
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$48K
- Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders$48K
- Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood$45K
- Printing Press Operators$43K
- Sewing Machine Operators$40K
- Bakers$39K
- Butchers and Meat Cutters$38K
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$34K
Educational Instruction and Library11 jobs
- Instructional Coordinators$72K
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$61K
- Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$59K
- Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$58K
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$58K
- Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education$57K
- Library Technicians$51K
- Self-Enrichment Teachers$42K
- Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other$40K
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$36K
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$31K
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry1 jobs
Office and Administrative Support24 jobs
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks$68K
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$67K
- Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$64K
- Postal Service Mail Carriers$63K
- Court, Municipal, and License Clerks$56K
- Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$55K
- Loan Interviewers and Clerks$52K
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$50K
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$49K
- Customer Service Representatives$49K
- New Accounts Clerks$48K
- Billing and Posting Clerks$48K
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$47K
- Office Clerks, General$46K
- Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping$45K
- Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks$45K
- Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks$43K
- Tellers$42K
- Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$42K
- Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other$40K
- Receptionists and Information Clerks$38K
- Couriers and Messengers$38K
- Library Assistants, Clerical$37K
- Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$33K
Transportation and Material Moving12 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$63K
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$59K
- Crane and Tower Operators$54K
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$51K
- Driver/Sales Workers$47K
- Light Truck Drivers$45K
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$44K
- Packers and Packagers, Hand$39K
- Stockers and Order Fillers$39K
- Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$36K
- Parking Attendants$34K
- Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs$32K
Sales and Related13 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers$94K
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products$85K
- Insurance Sales Agents$85K
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$84K
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$74K
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$68K
- Advertising Sales Agents$53K
- First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$52K
- Parts Salespersons$46K
- Counter and Rental Clerks$40K
- Sales and Related Workers, All Other$38K
- Retail Salespersons$34K
- Cashiers$31K
Healthcare Support7 jobs
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance5 jobs
Personal Care and Service10 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services$46K
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$40K
- First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers$39K
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$38K
- Recreation Workers$37K
- Childcare Workers$32K
- Gambling Dealers$31K
- Animal Caretakers$31K
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers$29K
- Amusement and Recreation Attendants$27K
Food Preparation and Serving Related15 jobs
- Chefs and Head Cooks$53K
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$42K
- Cooks, Short Order$36K
- Cooks, Restaurant$36K
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$36K
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other$34K
- Food Preparation Workers$34K
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$32K
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$30K
- Dishwashers$29K
- Fast Food and Counter Workers$29K
- Cooks, Fast Food$29K
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$28K
- Waiters and Waitresses$27K
- Bartenders$25K
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Salary in Dubuque: questions
What is a good salary in Dubuque?
Half of all workers in the Dubuque metro earn less than $48,750 and the average is $60,370. Earning more than $71,780 puts you in the top quarter of local wages.
How much do you need to earn in Dubuque to match a $69,770 salary elsewhere?
About $60,929, because prices here are 13% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 87.3).
What are the highest-paying jobs in Dubuque?
Physicians, All Other ($369,760), Chief Executives ($240,840), Dentists, General ($175,850).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. Area Dubuque, IA (20220), all occupations and 249 individual jobs. What a metro area includes.
- 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.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Iowa school district surtaxes (a percentage of state tax in some districts) are not included.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.