Top Paying Jobs in Iowa
Iowa has 100 tracked occupation categories totaling 134,620 jobs. The highest-paying occupations include Emergency Medicine Physicians ($429,050), Dermatologists ($424,970), Radiologists ($405,220). The cost of living index is 88.86 (national average = 100). Median 2-bedroom rent is $1,064/month.
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State-level averages. Salaries, rent, and cost of living vary significantly between metros. For more accurate data, select a metro area from the list below or browse all metros.
$144K
Avg. median salary
88.86
Cost of living index
$1,064
Median 2BR rent
3,207,003
Population
Highest paying careers in Iowa
| Rank | Occupation | Category | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Nurse Anesthetists | Healthcare | $273K | $131.29/hr |
| 12 | Family Medicine Physicians | Healthcare | $265K | $127.5/hr |
| 13 | Pediatricians, General | Healthcare | $262K | $126.17/hr |
| 14 | Chief Executives | Management | $211K | $101.54/hr |
| 15 | Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric | Healthcare | $189K | $91.06/hr |
| 16 | Dentists, General | Healthcare | $182K | $87.27/hr |
| 17 | Physicists | Science | $178K | $85.63/hr |
| 18 | Law Teachers, Postsecondary | Education | $161K | N/A |
| 19 | Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | Legal | $148K | $70.92/hr |
| 20 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | Management | $147K | $70.83/hr |
Affordability snapshot: Iowa
These are statewide averages. Costs vary widely between metros, click into a specific city for precise numbers.
Cost of living vs. national average-11.1% less expensive
2-bedroom apartment (FMR)$1,064/mo
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Metro areas in Iowa
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Side-by-side salary and cost of living comparison
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After federal and state taxes
Can you afford a 2-bedroom in Iowa?
Salary thresholds by HUD rent data
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Iowa?
Monthly budget breakdown with HUD and BLS data