Iowa wages
Midwest region · all-occupation average · gross annual wage · BLS OEWS May 2024
Across all occupations, Iowa has a median annual wage of $47,670 and a mean of $58,350 (BLS OEWS, May 2024) — -3.7% versus the $49,500 US median. That makes it #40 of 51 states by mean wage. About 1,561,660 people are employed here. The highest-paying tracked job in Iowa is Family Medicine Physicians ($239,200+ median). Wages are gross (pre-tax) and vary by employer and experience.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. Data as of OEWS May 2024 (BLS), retrieved June 2026.
Common jobs in Iowa: pay vs the US
Median annual wage in Iowa for widely-searched occupations, next to the national median:
| Occupation | Iowa median | US median | Iowa jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developers | $109,850 | $133,080 | 9,840 |
| Registered Nurses | $76,960 | $93,600 | 33,480 |
| Electricians | $62,880 | $62,350 | 8,900 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $55,080 | $57,440 | 37,430 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $74,290 | $81,680 | 13,970 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $55,540 | $62,340 | 15,890 |
| Lawyers | $107,870 | $151,160 | 3,550 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $61,230 | $62,970 | 6,350 |
| Pharmacists | $133,220 | $137,480 | 2,920 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $73,900 | $76,290 | 5,110 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. Data as of OEWS May 2024 (BLS), retrieved June 2026.
Software Developers · Registered Nurses · Electricians · Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers · Accountants and Auditors · Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education · Lawyers · Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters · Pharmacists · Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Highest-paying tracked jobs in Iowa
The best-paid of the 124 curated occupations in Iowa, by median wage:
| # | Occupation | Median | Mean |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Family Medicine Physicians | $239,200+ | $292,030 |
| 2 | General Internal Medicine Physicians | $239,200+ | $280,320 |
| 3 | Dentists, General | $174,990 | $216,520 |
| 4 | Aerospace Engineers | $150,010 | $137,430 |
| 5 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | $137,870 | $145,620 |
| 6 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | $136,610 | $149,180 |
| 7 | Physician Assistants | $133,400 | $135,450 |
| 8 | Pharmacists | $133,220 | $131,150 |
| 9 | Database Architects | $131,370 | $124,910 |
| 10 | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $130,980 | $158,090 |
| 11 | Financial Managers | $130,600 | $142,600 |
| 12 | Actuaries | $129,870 | $128,070 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. Data as of OEWS May 2024 (BLS), retrieved June 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average wage in Iowa?
The median annual wage across all occupations in Iowa is $47,670 and the mean is $58,350 (BLS OEWS, May 2024), which is -3.7% versus the US median of $49,500. Iowa ranks #40 of 51 states by mean wage.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
Among tracked occupations, the highest-paying in Iowa include Family Medicine Physicians ($239,200+), General Internal Medicine Physicians ($239,200+), Dentists, General ($174,990). See the full list on this page.
Are Iowa wages before or after tax?
These are gross wages from the BLS OEWS survey, before income and payroll tax. Iowa's state income tax (if any), federal tax and deductions reduce take-home pay. Use a paycheck calculator for after-tax figures.
Keep exploring
Sources & accuracy
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024, gross annual wages, U.S. public domain, retrieved June 2026. These are statewide survey estimates before tax; pay varies by metro, employer and experience, and cost of living differs widely within Iowa. Information only, not financial advice. See our methodology.
Last updated: 2026-06-20