Social Workers, All Other Salary
The median pay for a social workers, all other in Iowa is $91,170/year ($43.83/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $47K at the entry level to $114K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.86), which stretches that salary to about $102,600 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,064/month, or 18.5% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Iowa. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $91K get you in Iowa?
About social workers, all others
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What this looks like in Iowa
Iowa sits well above the national pay line for social workers, all other, local pay runs about 27% higher than the U.S. median of $72K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,064/month, 18.8% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.86 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Combined with manageable housing costs, Iowa offers a genuinely strong financial position for social workers, all others at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Iowa
Entry-level social workers, all others (10th percentile) start around $47K. Mid-career wages sit at $91K. Top earners bring in $114K or more, a $66K spread from bottom to top.
Social Workers, All Other salary by metro in Iowa
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $95K | +4% | 90 |
| Iowa City | $91K | -0% | 50 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | $81K | -11% | 50 |
Compare to other states
Track social workers, all other salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Iowa numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a social workers, all other afford a 2BR apartment alone in Iowa?
Yes — at the median salary of $91K, rent takes 18.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,064/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for social workers, all others in Iowa?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new social workers, all others typically earn — is $47K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,839/month. At HUD’s $1,064/month FMR, rent would take 37% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is social workers, all other a high-paying job in Iowa?
Local pay is 27% above the national median — $91K here vs. $72K nationally.
How does Iowa compare to the national average for social workers, all others?
Iowa pays $91K median vs. the U.S. average of $72K — that’s +27%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.86), the purchasing-power equivalent is $103K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do social workers, all others make in Iowa?
The median is $91,170 a year, that works out to about $44 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $47,310, and experienced social workers, all others can clear $113,800. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $91K enough to live in Iowa?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,646/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,064/month, which eats 18.8% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a social workers, all other salary go in Iowa?
Iowa has a Regional Price Parity of 88.86 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median social workers, all other salary is worth about $102,600 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do social workers, all others get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.