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Average salary by job family in Iowa City
| Management | $115,070 |
|---|---|
| Educational Instruction and Library | $99,790 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical | $96,160 |
| Computer and Mathematical | $95,090 |
| Architecture and Engineering | $88,980 |
| Legal | $88,210 |
| Business and Financial Operations | $81,520 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science | $73,080 |
| Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media | $64,020 |
| Protective Service | $60,480 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair | $59,230 |
| Community and Social Service | $59,180 |
| Construction and Extraction | $58,910 |
| Transportation and Material Moving | $54,310 |
| Office and Administrative Support | $50,270 |
| Production | $49,100 |
| Sales and Related | $44,070 |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | $41,840 |
| Healthcare Support | $41,060 |
| Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance | $39,710 |
| Personal Care and Service | $37,870 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related | $31,590 |
Highest-paying jobs in Iowa City
- Anesthesiologists$300,280
- Physicians, All Other$242,890
- Family Medicine Physicians$241,240
- Chief Executives$215,120
- Psychiatrists$194,140
- Dentists, General$189,170
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$152,870
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$145,730
- Financial Managers$144,600
- Sales Managers$143,740
Most common jobs in Iowa City and what they pay
| Job | Jobs | Average salary | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | 4,090 | $85,670 | $85,940 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 2,890 | $29,850 | $28,760 |
| Retail Salespersons | 2,710 | $32,660 | $29,940 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | 2,360 | $77,940 | $61,960 |
| Cashiers | 2,090 | $31,080 | $29,080 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | 1,890 | $27,750 | $22,030 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 1,780 | $36,180 | $35,630 |
| General and Operations Managers | 1,600 | $107,990 | $81,120 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | 1,540 | $38,410 | $37,660 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | 1,350 | $36,590 | $36,440 |
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Cost of living in Iowa City
Prices in the Iowa City area are 8% below the U.S. average, with a BEA price parity of 91.5 for 2024. The average local salary of $65,420 therefore buys what $71,490 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. A typical home is worth $302,063, 4.1 times the median household income of $74,142.
$302,063typical home value
$74,142median household income
91.5BEA price parity
177,420metro population
Take-home pay in Iowa City
| Salary level | Gross | After tax | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile wage | $36,440 | $30,686 | $2,557 |
| Median wage | $50,060 | $41,113 | $3,426 |
| Average wage | $65,420 | $52,868 | $4,406 |
| 75th percentile wage | $77,220 | $60,832 | $5,069 |
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 Iowa City
Management25 jobs
- Chief Executives$215K
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$153K
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$146K
- Financial Managers$145K
- Sales Managers$144K
- Education Administrators, Postsecondary$140K
- Marketing Managers$133K
- Public Relations Managers$129K
- Administrative Services Managers$124K
- Human Resources Managers$124K
- Medical and Health Services Managers$122K
- Managers, All Other$117K
- Construction Managers$117K
- Fundraising Managers$115K
- Industrial Production Managers$113K
- Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$112K
- Natural Sciences Managers$109K
- General and Operations Managers$108K
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$107K
- Facilities Managers$105K
- Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling$97K
- Social and Community Service Managers$74K
- Food Service Managers$73K
- Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$63K
- Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare$53K
Educational Instruction and Library16 jobs
- Librarians and Media Collections Specialists$77K
- Instructional Coordinators$72K
- Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$68K
- Special Education Teachers, Middle School$68K
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$66K
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$63K
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$60K
- Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$60K
- Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other$58K
- Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education$55K
- Library Technicians$53K
- Self-Enrichment Teachers$48K
- Tutors$45K
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$39K
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$34K
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$31K
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical38 jobs
- Anesthesiologists$300K
- Physicians, All Other$243K
- Family Medicine Physicians$241K
- Psychiatrists$194K
- Dentists, General$189K
- Physician Assistants$143K
- Pharmacists$135K
- Nurse Practitioners$134K
- Veterinarians$130K
- Audiologists$98K
- Physical Therapists$96K
- General Internal Medicine Physicians$92K
- Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other$91K
- Occupational Therapists$89K
- Dental Hygienists$89K
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers$88K
- Orthotists and Prosthetists$87K
- Registered Nurses$86K
- Speech-Language Pathologists$83K
- Respiratory Therapists$77K
- Chiropractors$77K
- Radiologic Technologists and Technicians$74K
- Dietitians and Nutritionists$73K
- Paramedics$67K
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$65K
- Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other$64K
- Recreational Therapists$63K
- Medical Records Specialists$63K
- Athletic Trainers$62K
- Surgical Technologists$59K
- Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$57K
- Emergency Medical Technicians$52K
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other$52K
- Opticians, Dispensing$50K
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$48K
- Pharmacy Technicians$46K
- Ophthalmic Medical Technicians$46K
- Psychiatric Technicians$45K
Computer and Mathematical12 jobs
- Information Security Analysts$143K
- Software Developers$113K
- Computer Programmers$108K
- Computer Network Architects$107K
- Computer Occupations, All Other$106K
- Database Administrators$103K
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators$91K
- Computer Systems Analysts$90K
- Data Scientists$81K
- Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$79K
- Computer Network Support Specialists$73K
- Computer User Support Specialists$61K
Architecture and Engineering11 jobs
- Electrical Engineers$116K
- Engineers, All Other$105K
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval$100K
- Civil Engineers$100K
- Mechanical Engineers$96K
- Industrial Engineers$95K
- Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other$75K
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians$68K
- Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians$67K
- Architectural and Civil Drafters$63K
- Surveying and Mapping Technicians$59K
Legal3 jobs
Business and Financial Operations20 jobs
- Budget Analysts$123K
- Personal Financial Advisors$121K
- Project Management Specialists$108K
- Loan Officers$99K
- Management Analysts$90K
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other$84K
- Financial and Investment Analysts$83K
- Compliance Officers$81K
- Accountants and Auditors$80K
- Logisticians$80K
- Financial Examiners$78K
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators$77K
- Cost Estimators$77K
- Human Resources Specialists$76K
- Training and Development Specialists$70K
- Buyers and Purchasing Agents$70K
- Fundraisers$69K
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$69K
- Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners$55K
- Credit Counselors$55K
Life, Physical, and Social Science11 jobs
- Soil and Plant Scientists$98K
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$94K
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$92K
- Biological Scientists, All Other$84K
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$84K
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$79K
- Chemists$75K
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health$60K
- Agricultural Technicians$56K
- Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other$56K
- Biological Technicians$53K
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media7 jobs
Protective Service7 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$109K
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$78K
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$71K
- Correctional Officers and Jailers$57K
- Firefighters$48K
- Security Guards$43K
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$30K
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair15 jobs
- Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers$95K
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$78K
- Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers$68K
- Automotive Body and Related Repairers$66K
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$66K
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics$66K
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$63K
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$61K
- Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$61K
- Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians$60K
- Medical Equipment Repairers$59K
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other$58K
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$56K
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$50K
- Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers$35K
Community and Social Service9 jobs
- Social Workers, All Other$93K
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$71K
- Healthcare Social Workers$71K
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$69K
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$62K
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers$55K
- Rehabilitation Counselors$44K
- Social and Human Service Assistants$43K
- Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other$35K
Construction and Extraction11 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$76K
- Construction and Building Inspectors$73K
- Structural Iron and Steel Workers$68K
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$66K
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$63K
- Electricians$60K
- Highway Maintenance Workers$59K
- Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$59K
- Carpenters$54K
- Construction Laborers$52K
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance$48K
Transportation and Material Moving14 jobs
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$78K
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$61K
- Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors$54K
- Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$53K
- Bus Drivers, School$48K
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$47K
- Light Truck Drivers$44K
- Driver/Sales Workers$41K
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$39K
- Packers and Packagers, Hand$39K
- Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs$37K
- Stockers and Order Fillers$37K
- Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$35K
- Parking Attendants$32K
Office and Administrative Support29 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$70K
- Postal Service Mail Carriers$65K
- Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$62K
- Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks$60K
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks$58K
- Loan Interviewers and Clerks$57K
- Public Safety Telecommunicators$57K
- Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$57K
- Information and Record Clerks, All Other$57K
- Court, Municipal, and License Clerks$56K
- Billing and Posting Clerks$54K
- Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping$53K
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$51K
- Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks$49K
- Procurement Clerks$49K
- Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$49K
- Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$49K
- Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other$49K
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$48K
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$47K
- Office Clerks, General$47K
- Customer Service Representatives$47K
- New Accounts Clerks$45K
- Tellers$44K
- Library Assistants, Clerical$41K
- Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service$41K
- Data Entry Keyers$40K
- Receptionists and Information Clerks$39K
- Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$33K
Production14 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$71K
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators$63K
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$58K
- Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$56K
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$52K
- Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$51K
- Printing Press Operators$46K
- Food Batchmakers$46K
- Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$45K
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$43K
- Bakers$38K
- Butchers and Meat Cutters$36K
- Production Workers, All Other$36K
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$35K
Sales and Related12 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers$110K
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products$110K
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$93K
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$80K
- Insurance Sales Agents$76K
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$69K
- First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$52K
- Counter and Rental Clerks$44K
- Parts Salespersons$43K
- Sales and Related Workers, All Other$39K
- Retail Salespersons$33K
- Cashiers$31K
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry2 jobs
Healthcare Support11 jobs
- Physical Therapist Assistants$59K
- Healthcare Support Workers, All Other$54K
- Dental Assistants$52K
- Medical Assistants$46K
- Medical Equipment Preparers$44K
- Nursing Assistants$42K
- Phlebotomists$41K
- Pharmacy Aides$36K
- Home Health and Personal Care Aides$36K
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$36K
- Physical Therapist Aides$29K
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance5 jobs
Personal Care and Service10 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services$52K
- Residential Advisors$45K
- Skincare Specialists$43K
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$43K
- First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers$43K
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$36K
- Animal Caretakers$36K
- Recreation Workers$33K
- Childcare Workers$30K
- Amusement and Recreation Attendants$30K
Food Preparation and Serving Related14 jobs
- Chefs and Head Cooks$55K
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$42K
- Cooks, Restaurant$36K
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$35K
- Cooks, Short Order$35K
- Food Preparation Workers$35K
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$31K
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$31K
- Fast Food and Counter Workers$30K
- Dishwashers$30K
- Cooks, Fast Food$28K
- Waiters and Waitresses$28K
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$27K
- Bartenders$27K
Average salary in nearby cities
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Salary in Iowa City: questions
What is a good salary in Iowa City?
Half of all workers in the Iowa City metro earn less than $50,060 and the average is $65,420. Earning more than $77,220 puts you in the top quarter of local wages.
How much do you need to earn in Iowa City to match a $69,770 salary elsewhere?
About $63,846, because prices here are 8% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 91.5).
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa City?
Anesthesiologists ($300,280), Physicians, All Other ($242,890), Family Medicine Physicians ($241,240).
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 Iowa City, IA (26980), all occupations and 296 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.
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