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.
ⓘ
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | Nurse Practitioners | Healthcare | $130K | $62.58/hr |
| 32 | Actuaries | Technology | $129K | $61.87/hr |
| 33 | Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | Education | $128K | N/A |
| 34 | Managers, All Other | Management | $128K | $61.58/hr |
| 35 | Human Resources Managers | Management | $126K | $60.76/hr |
| 36 | Optometrists | Healthcare | $125K | $60.28/hr |
| 37 | Computer Hardware Engineers | Engineering | $125K | $60.15/hr |
| 38 | Veterinarians | Healthcare | $125K | $59.91/hr |
| 39 | Database Architects | Technology | $124K | $59.64/hr |
| 40 | Lawyers | Legal | $124K | $59.4/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
Planning a move? Compare costs with other locations:
Metro areas in Iowa
Click a metro for detailed salary, rent, and cost-of-living data specific to that area.
Compare Iowa to other cities
Side-by-side salary and cost of living comparison
Remote work salary calculator
See what your salary is worth in Iowa
Calculate take-home pay in Iowa
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