Everything we can verify about jobs, pay and living in Iowa, from official statistics, with source and date on every table.
Click any dot to open that city: jobs, pay, rent, commute, county economy and climate. Dot size follows population; colours follow the state flag.
By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 08/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
The 60 largest places in Iowa, each with its own guide. The map above shows them all; open the sortable tables with GDP, jobs and rent →
| # ⇅ | City ⇅ | Population ⇅ | Median household income ⇅ | Median rent ⇅ | Unemployment (ACS) ⇅ | Bachelor's+ ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Des Moines | 212,421 | $65,932 | $1,090 | 5.6% | 29.7% |
| 2 | Cedar Rapids | 137,264 | $70,424 | $967 | 3.6% | 33.1% |
| 3 | Davenport | 100,913 | $66,200 | $978 | 4.5% | 29.9% |
| 4 | Sioux City | 86,101 | $68,906 | $976 | 4.5% | 22.9% |
| 5 | Iowa City | 75,752 | $58,546 | $1,094 | 4.6% | 60.5% |
| 6 | Ankeny | 72,615 | $108,198 | $1,319 | 1.9% | 52.1% |
| 7 | West Des Moines | 71,083 | $86,594 | $1,237 | 2.4% | 54.9% |
| 8 | Ames | 67,669 | $60,991 | $1,023 | 5.8% | 65.8% |
| 9 | Waterloo | 67,008 | $57,480 | $923 | 5.3% | 21.8% |
| 10 | Council Bluffs | 62,586 | $64,578 | $1,030 | 4.2% | 21.5% |
| 11 | Dubuque | 59,174 | $65,845 | $948 | 4.5% | 34.0% |
| 12 | Urbandale | 46,595 | $112,795 | $1,211 | 2.9% | 51.2% |
| 13 | Marion | 41,896 | $86,743 | $961 | 3.6% | 38.1% |
| 14 | Cedar Falls | 40,888 | $76,987 | $1,203 | 3.9% | 50.4% |
| 15 | Bettendorf | 39,647 | $100,495 | $1,187 | 2.4% | 50.7% |
| 16 | Waukee | 29,236 | $101,029 | $1,383 | 3.5% | 58.0% |
| 17 | Marshalltown | 27,626 | $69,068 | $891 | 5.2% | 20.9% |
| 18 | Mason City | 27,050 | $64,804 | $882 | 2.8% | 20.8% |
| 19 | Ottumwa | 25,430 | $61,103 | $921 | 4.6% | 20.8% |
| 20 | Fort Dodge | 24,827 | $60,649 | $785 | 6.0% | 21.7% |
| 21 | Johnston | 24,384 | $106,551 | $1,338 | 2.1% | 57.8% |
| 22 | Clinton | 24,322 | $60,230 | $791 | 3.7% | 20.8% |
| 23 | Burlington | 23,728 | $59,000 | $924 | 3.9% | 22.5% |
| 24 | Muscatine | 23,489 | $58,117 | $974 | 4.3% | 21.1% |
| 25 | Coralville | 23,234 | $69,144 | $1,057 | 2.2% | 56.0% |
| 26 | Altoona | 21,495 | $86,114 | $1,235 | 7.5% | 33.5% |
| 27 | North Liberty | 21,125 | $102,102 | $1,246 | 3.3% | 54.5% |
| 28 | Clive | 19,012 | $132,121 | $1,073 | 4.0% | 61.0% |
| 29 | Grimes | 16,366 | $120,037 | $1,251 | 1.9% | 51.5% |
| 30 | Indianola | 16,044 | $75,453 | $986 | 4.0% | 35.0% |
| 31 | Newton | 15,700 | $57,771 | $819 | 5.8% | 19.5% |
| 32 | Norwalk | 14,183 | $102,722 | $838 | 3.4% | 38.8% |
| 33 | Boone | 12,424 | $69,222 | $831 | 2.0% | 24.0% |
| 34 | Oskaloosa | 11,504 | $64,004 | $831 | 4.8% | 25.4% |
| 35 | Storm Lake | 11,428 | $62,765 | $898 | 4.4% | 18.9% |
| 36 | Spencer | 11,400 | $59,667 | $805 | 4.5% | 29.8% |
| 37 | Pleasant Hill | 11,136 | $90,508 | $1,215 | 8.2% | 35.5% |
| 38 | Pella | 10,720 | $84,111 | $1,046 | 1.1% | 47.4% |
| 39 | Le Mars | 10,640 | $74,701 | $929 | 2.9% | 21.1% |
| 40 | Waverly | 10,494 | $80,284 | $1,057 | 3.5% | 44.1% |
| 41 | Carroll | 10,208 | $69,706 | $722 | 2.5% | 27.1% |
| 42 | Fort Madison | 10,133 | $50,705 | $826 | 7.3% | 18.5% |
| 43 | Keokuk | 9,662 | $52,711 | $871 | 4.9% | 17.4% |
| 44 | Grinnell | 9,505 | $65,320 | $895 | 4.0% | 37.5% |
| 45 | Fairfield | 9,456 | $51,311 | $870 | 11.8% | 52.9% |
| 46 | Mount Pleasant | 8,951 | $61,042 | $826 | 1.7% | 23.2% |
| 47 | Bondurant | 8,560 | $135,674 | $1,337 | 0.9% | 52.8% |
| 48 | Sioux Center | 8,454 | $92,983 | n/a | 1.2% | 41.7% |
| 49 | Denison | 8,260 | $65,684 | $731 | 5.4% | 17.5% |
| 50 | Perry | 7,985 | $68,910 | $931 | 3.6% | 17.0% |
| 51 | Webster City | 7,769 | $63,430 | $907 | 7.0% | 23.2% |
| 52 | Clear Lake | 7,607 | $79,415 | $808 | 2.4% | 30.5% |
| 53 | Decorah | 7,535 | $64,366 | $853 | 4.0% | 42.2% |
| 54 | Knoxville | 7,473 | $61,599 | $801 | 4.8% | 30.6% |
| 55 | Creston | 7,435 | $52,633 | $703 | 3.6% | 23.9% |
| 56 | Washington | 7,290 | $55,373 | $968 | 3.3% | 23.6% |
| 57 | Charles City | 7,232 | $59,180 | $735 | 4.6% | 12.8% |
| 58 | Hiawatha | 7,206 | $66,270 | $855 | 4.0% | 32.4% |
| 59 | Nevada | 6,983 | $75,094 | $953 | 2.0% | 29.6% |
| 60 | Eldridge | 6,818 | $106,316 | $945 | 1.0% | 54.4% |
Iowa is in the Midwest region (West North Central division), with 3,210,507 residents, a median age of 38.6 and a median household income of $75,059. The unemployment rate was 3.2% in 2026M09, and the state's price level is 87.8 against 100 for the US as a whole.
| Indicator ⇅ | Value ⇅ | Rank among 50 states + DC ⇅ | Direction ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $75,059 | 32 of 51 | higher is better |
| Unemployment rate | 3.2% | 9 of 51 | lower is better |
| Job openings rate | 3.5% | 39 of 51 | higher is better |
| Price level (RPP) | 87.8 | 3 of 51 | lower is better |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 39 of 51 | higher is better |
| Foreign-born share | 5.9% | 35 of 51 | higher is better |
See the 226 federal jobs open now →Country guide: United States250 largest cities60 cities: tables and mapRankings
Neighbouring states in the West North Central division: Kansas · Minnesota · Missouri · Nebraska · North Dakota · South Dakota.
Iowa is in the Midwest region (West North Central division) and has 3,210,507 residents (the 31st largest of the 50 states and DC by population), with a median age of 38.6. Its economy produced about $278,854 million in the latest four quarters (BEA), 32nd among states and DC, equal to $86,857 per resident.
The unemployment rate was 3.2% in 2026M09, which is 9th lowest of 51 (1st is the lowest). Employers had job openings equal to 3.5% of employment, 39th highest of 51, a measure of how hard it is to hire. The median wage across all occupations is $48,540 a year ($23.34 an hour), 5% below the national median ($48,540 against $50,980).
The occupations with the most jobs in Iowa are Cashiers (41,450 jobs, median $28,970); Retail Salespersons (41,000 jobs, median $31,360); Fast Food and Counter Workers (40,290 jobs, median $28,390); Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers (35,040 jobs, median $58,070); Registered Nurses (34,420 jobs, median $78,630). Among occupations with at least 2,000 jobs, the best paid are Chief Executives (median $211,190); Computer and Information Systems Managers (median $143,780); Pharmacists (median $138,860). Compared with the nation, the state is most specialised in production (1.7 times the national share of workers) and educational instruction and library (1.2 times the national share of workers).
Prices are below the national average in Iowa: the regional price parity is 87.8 against 100 for the whole country (3rd lowest of 51). Median gross rent is $972 a month and the median household income $75,059, so a year of rent equals 15.5% of income; the median home value is $208,000. The state minimum wage is $7.25 (the higher of state and federal rates applies to most workers). State income tax on wages: Flat 3.80%. It is a right-to-work state, meaning workers cannot be required to pay union dues as a condition of employment. It has no state paid family and medical leave programme in our source.
5.9% of residents were born abroad and 31.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Among workers, 76.0% drive alone, 0.7% use public transit and 11.3% work from home; 8.2% commute 45 minutes or more.
These links go to official sources and open in a new window. The first one is the government's or company's own site as listed in Wikidata (property "official website"); check it before relying on it.
| Industry ⇅ | GDP ($ million, annual rate) ⇅ | Share of state GDP ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 46,880 | 16.8% |
| Finance and insurance | 43,922 | 15.8% |
| Government and government enterprises | 29,251 | 10.5% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 24,328 | 8.7% |
| Health care and social assistance | 17,416 | 6.2% |
| Wholesale trade | 16,766 | 6.0% |
| Retail trade | 15,732 | 5.6% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 14,311 | 5.1% |
| Construction | 13,173 | 4.7% |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 10,317 | 3.7% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 8,772 | 3.1% |
| Information | 7,020 | 2.5% |
| Accommodation and food services | 6,214 | 2.2% |
| Other services (except government and government enterprises) | 5,664 | 2.0% |
| Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services | 5,538 | 2.0% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 4,328 | 1.6% |
| Utilities | 4,276 | 1.5% |
| Arts, entertainment, and recreation | 2,334 | 0.8% |
| Educational services | 2,110 | 0.8% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 504 | 0.2% |
| Sector ⇅ | Jobs (payroll) ⇅ | Change in 12 months ⇅ | Month ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mining and logging | 2,300 | +0.0% | 2026M09 |
| Construction | 92,400 | +4.1% | 2026M09 |
| Manufacturing | 212,600 | -0.7% | 2026M09 |
| Trade, transportation and utilities | 301,700 | -1.5% | 2026M09 |
| Information | 17,200 | -0.6% | 2026M09 |
| Financial activities | 105,300 | +1.2% | 2026M09 |
| Professional and business services | 139,200 | -2.0% | 2026M09 |
| Education and health services | 244,500 | +1.7% | 2026M09 |
| Leisure and hospitality | 145,400 | +1.2% | 2026M09 |
| Other services | 54,200 | -0.7% | 2026M09 |
| Government | 271,700 | +0.6% | 2026M09 |
BEA values are seasonally adjusted annual rates averaged over the latest four quarters. BLS payroll counts are not seasonally adjusted. The state total of jobs is 1,586,500 (latest month).
| Occupation field ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Per 1,000 jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support | 169,390 | 108.6 | 0.95 | $46,520 | $32,950 | $67,970 | -2% |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related | 135,030 | 86.6 | 0.98 | $29,620 | $17,620 | $44,470 | -15% |
| Transportation and Material Moving | 146,660 | 94.1 | 1.07 | $46,050 | $30,650 | $72,470 | +4% |
| Sales and Related | 141,350 | 90.7 | 1.05 | $35,610 | $27,050 | $81,620 | -8% |
| Management | 96,690 | 62.0 | 0.87 | $102,900 | $51,990 | $202,700 | -19% |
| Business and Financial Operations | 90,070 | 57.8 | 0.85 | $76,810 | $48,200 | $128,740 | -7% |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical | 92,100 | 59.1 | 0.93 | $77,590 | $44,860 | $141,080 | -10% |
| Educational Instruction and Library | 108,570 | 69.6 | 1.19 | $48,610 | $28,870 | $80,950 | -20% |
| Production | 142,180 | 91.2 | 1.66 | $48,600 | $36,350 | $69,770 | +3% |
| Healthcare Support | 65,530 | 42.0 | 0.83 | $38,420 | $31,930 | $49,720 | +0% |
| Construction and Extraction | 70,570 | 45.3 | 1.10 | $59,460 | $40,110 | $89,480 | -0% |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair | 70,010 | 44.9 | 1.15 | $59,950 | $37,900 | $86,160 | +1% |
| Computer and Mathematical | 38,250 | 24.5 | 0.73 | $89,360 | $50,250 | $147,200 | -18% |
| Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance | 45,640 | 29.3 | 1.00 | $36,220 | $28,640 | $49,830 | -4% |
| Protective Service | 24,190 | 15.5 | 0.64 | $53,410 | $30,520 | $92,990 | +7% |
| Personal Care and Service | 31,560 | 20.2 | 0.97 | $30,440 | $22,170 | $50,400 | -16% |
| Community and Social Service | 24,270 | 15.6 | 0.91 | $50,510 | $35,930 | $82,040 | -13% |
| Architecture and Engineering | 20,980 | 13.5 | 0.80 | $83,690 | $57,550 | $130,810 | -16% |
| Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media | 18,580 | 11.9 | 0.91 | $50,820 | $30,480 | $93,810 | -19% |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science | 14,290 | 9.2 | 0.97 | $72,690 | $44,510 | $124,730 | -12% |
| Legal | 8,280 | 5.3 | 0.63 | $71,170 | $39,890 | $184,650 | -31% |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | 5,050 | 3.2 | 1.16 | $44,480 | $29,790 | $61,820 | +21% |
| Industry ⇅ | Share of employed residents ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.2% |
| Manufacturing | 14.7% |
| Retail trade | 11.5% |
| Finance, insurance, real estate | 7.6% |
| Professional, scientific, management, administrative | 7.6% |
| Construction | 7.0% |
| Arts, entertainment, accommodation, food | 7.0% |
| Transportation, warehousing, utilities | 5.1% |
| Other services | 4.4% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining | 3.7% |
| Public administration | 3.5% |
| Wholesale trade | 2.4% |
| Information | 1.4% |
| Occupation ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay (year) ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cashiers | 41,450 | 1.34 | $28,970 | $22,930 | $36,560 | -12% |
| Retail Salespersons | 41,000 | 1.05 | $31,360 | $25,220 | $45,900 | -11% |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 40,290 | 1.04 | $28,390 | $21,620 | $35,990 | -9% |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | 35,040 | 1.69 | $58,070 | $42,390 | $77,910 | -1% |
| Registered Nurses | 34,420 | 1.02 | $78,630 | $63,840 | $100,500 | -19% |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 30,890 | 1.04 | $43,490 | $32,790 | $53,620 | +8% |
| General and Operations Managers | 30,760 | 0.88 | $87,690 | $42,850 | $191,990 | -17% |
| Customer Service Representatives | 30,100 | 1.16 | $46,090 | $32,450 | $64,540 | +3% |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | 26,770 | 0.94 | $36,640 | $28,450 | $50,110 | -2% |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 25,800 | 0.60 | $36,080 | $30,420 | $45,490 | +1% |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | 24,520 | 1.72 | $30,510 | $22,400 | $37,520 | -17% |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | 23,960 | 1.08 | $35,380 | $28,490 | $47,300 | -4% |
| Office Clerks, General | 23,120 | 0.94 | $44,310 | $29,660 | $61,410 | -2% |
| Nursing Assistants | 22,670 | 1.56 | $39,350 | $35,620 | $47,980 | -7% |
| Waiters and Waitresses | 22,410 | 0.98 | $21,000 | $15,080 | $47,980 | -40% |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | 19,540 | 1.39 | $48,920 | $35,560 | $59,590 | +10% |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | 17,300 | 1.24 | $60,580 | $47,260 | $77,400 | -5% |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | 16,990 | 1.37 | $66,760 | $39,960 | $124,590 | -7% |
| Maintenance and Repair Workers, General | 16,500 | 1.08 | $52,160 | $36,570 | $74,490 | +5% |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | 14,020 | 1.02 | $48,180 | $33,240 | $66,490 | -5% |
| Construction Laborers | 13,780 | 1.25 | $48,490 | $38,180 | $68,900 | +3% |
| Accountants and Auditors | 13,210 | 0.91 | $77,440 | $51,420 | $123,700 | -7% |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | 12,830 | 0.75 | $45,150 | $33,880 | $60,760 | -5% |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 12,310 | 1.15 | $61,200 | $47,480 | $79,270 | -15% |
| Cooks, Restaurant | 12,270 | 0.87 | $35,670 | $28,690 | $44,460 | -5% |
| Occupation ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay (year) ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physicians, All Other | 1,440 | 0.42 | $295,190 | $74,210 | $412,010 | +11% |
| Family Medicine Physicians | 1,140 | 1.06 | $265,200 | $116,900 | $460,230 | +9% |
| Chief Executives | 3,050 | 1.49 | $211,190 | $86,090 | $365,320 | -1% |
| Dentists, General | 1,240 | 0.99 | $181,520 | $100,920 | $259,990 | +6% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 1,520 | 0.69 | $147,320 | $103,470 | $210,220 | -14% |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | 3,920 | 0.58 | $143,780 | $101,340 | $213,730 | -18% |
| Pharmacists | 3,230 | 1.00 | $138,860 | $117,450 | $164,520 | -1% |
| Physician Assistants | 1,200 | 0.74 | $134,770 | $102,330 | $182,940 | -1% |
| Sales Managers | 3,260 | 0.51 | $134,010 | $72,130 | $220,770 | -10% |
| Financial Managers | 9,130 | 1.08 | $133,320 | $80,020 | $225,920 | -20% |
| Marketing Managers | 2,210 | 0.56 | $131,120 | $80,160 | $203,180 | -21% |
| Nurse Practitioners | 3,240 | 1.00 | $130,160 | $107,990 | $167,590 | -2% |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 3,230 | 1.45 | $128,490 | $62,810 | $358,550 | +20% |
| Managers, All Other | 3,600 | 0.58 | $128,080 | $61,280 | $218,790 | -10% |
| Human Resources Managers | 1,620 | 0.73 | $126,370 | $86,190 | $206,900 | -15% |
| Veterinarians | 1,000 | 1.19 | $124,610 | $72,800 | $168,950 | -4% |
| Lawyers | 3,550 | 0.47 | $123,550 | $63,790 | $268,460 | -23% |
| Information Security Analysts | 1,160 | 0.61 | $119,710 | $71,550 | $169,620 | -7% |
| Administrative Services Managers | 1,380 | 0.52 | $116,920 | $69,670 | $171,530 | +2% |
| Software Developers | 9,040 | 0.53 | $114,890 | $74,390 | $165,880 | -16% |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | 3,850 | 0.88 | $107,340 | $49,990 | $165,920 | -8% |
| Industrial Production Managers | 3,620 | 1.47 | $106,510 | $74,830 | $171,910 | -16% |
| Electrical Engineers | 1,280 | 0.64 | $105,820 | $76,720 | $155,460 | -12% |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | 3,310 | 1.00 | $104,260 | $77,350 | $154,000 | -2% |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products | 2,580 | 0.90 | $103,380 | $55,390 | $184,110 | -1% |
| Occupation ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay (year) ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | 5,210 | 8.00 | $41,740 | $40,230 | $43,140 | +5% |
| Slaughterers and Meat Packers | 4,220 | 6.02 | $43,820 | $33,750 | $46,060 | +9% |
| Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians | 2,210 | 5.83 | $59,860 | $44,190 | $77,880 | +6% |
| Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 1,420 | 5.44 | $62,590 | $44,840 | $64,780 | +29% |
| Agricultural Equipment Operators | 1,530 | 5.37 | $47,220 | $37,020 | $62,360 | +13% |
| Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 1,310 | 4.12 | $51,740 | $42,950 | $62,330 | +8% |
| Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals | 1,240 | 3.77 | $36,480 | $28,950 | $50,540 | -1% |
| New Accounts Clerks | 1,320 | 3.57 | $45,630 | $38,220 | $55,710 | -4% |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 4,460 | 3.57 | $48,910 | $37,800 | $59,820 | +4% |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | 4,480 | 3.27 | $37,750 | $30,200 | $46,510 | -6% |
| Locomotive Engineers | 1,000 | 2.98 | $89,970 | $74,770 | $95,710 | +11% |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators | 4,750 | 2.79 | $52,300 | $39,450 | $63,040 | +3% |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | 3,970 | 2.72 | $43,190 | $39,170 | $46,220 | +13% |
| Pharmacy Aides | 1,070 | 2.71 | $33,270 | $22,260 | $44,360 | -12% |
| Highway Maintenance Workers | 4,000 | 2.58 | $58,490 | $47,380 | $67,980 | +16% |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 3,670 | 2.43 | $45,220 | $35,650 | $66,280 | +2% |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 2,310 | 2.43 | $51,570 | $41,550 | $73,410 | +5% |
| Food Batchmakers | 4,160 | 2.37 | $48,300 | $35,830 | $62,780 | +14% |
| Rehabilitation Counselors | 2,170 | 2.28 | $39,630 | $34,370 | $58,220 | -15% |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | 9,270 | 2.22 | $55,090 | $45,590 | $65,250 | +2% |
| Library Technicians | 1,510 | 2.19 | $38,590 | $28,230 | $61,570 | -13% |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 3,220 | 2.02 | $49,330 | $37,150 | $64,970 | +2% |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | 8,860 | 2.00 | $35,810 | $28,030 | $44,150 | -4% |
| Library Assistants, Clerical | 1,700 | 1.99 | $29,480 | $21,950 | $45,310 | -20% |
| Telemarketers | 1,100 | 1.88 | $33,640 | $28,190 | $39,580 | -5% |
Occupations with a page of their own link to it. Pay above $239,200 a year is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top-code). "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure.
There are 226 federal job postings open now in Iowa (USAJOBS). This is the federal government only: most US jobs are in the private sector and are advertised on employers' own sites, so use the pay and demand tables on this page for the whole labour market.
| Agency ⇅ | Open postings ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Veterans Health Administration | 79 |
| Federal Aviation Administration | 38 |
| Army National Guard Units | 18 |
| Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service | 10 |
| Department of Energy Headquarters | 8 |
| U.S. Army Reserve Command | 7 |
| Transportation Security Administration | 6 |
| Internal Revenue Service | 6 |
| Food Safety and Inspection Service | 6 |
| Western Area Power Administration | 5 |
| Immigration and Customs Enforcement | 5 |
| Air National Guard Units | 5 |
| Veterans Benefits Administration | 4 |
| Natural Resources Conservation Service | 3 |
| Drug Enforcement Administration | 2 |
| Series ⇅ | Open postings ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Nurse | 20 |
| Medical Officer | 18 |
| Aviation Safety | 14 |
| Information Technology Management | 9 |
| Miscellaneous Administration And Program | 8 |
| Compliance Inspection And Support | 7 |
| Psychology | 6 |
| General Engineering | 5 |
| High Voltage Electrician | 5 |
| Miscellaneous Transportation/Mobile Equipment Maintenance | 5 |
| General Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement, And Compliance Series | 5 |
| Medical Support Assistance | 5 |
| Physician Assistant | 4 |
| Criminal Investigation | 4 |
| Human Resources Management | 4 |
Median starting salary in postings that list a yearly range: $73,696 (203 postings).
The median wage in Iowa is $48,540 a year ($23.34 an hour) against $50,980 nationally (-5%). The 10th percentile earns $28,930 and the 90th $99,630.
| Occupation field ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Per 1,000 jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support | 169,390 | 108.6 | 0.95 | $46,520 | $32,950 | $67,970 | -2% |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related | 135,030 | 86.6 | 0.98 | $29,620 | $17,620 | $44,470 | -15% |
| Transportation and Material Moving | 146,660 | 94.1 | 1.07 | $46,050 | $30,650 | $72,470 | +4% |
| Sales and Related | 141,350 | 90.7 | 1.05 | $35,610 | $27,050 | $81,620 | -8% |
| Management | 96,690 | 62.0 | 0.87 | $102,900 | $51,990 | $202,700 | -19% |
| Business and Financial Operations | 90,070 | 57.8 | 0.85 | $76,810 | $48,200 | $128,740 | -7% |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical | 92,100 | 59.1 | 0.93 | $77,590 | $44,860 | $141,080 | -10% |
| Educational Instruction and Library | 108,570 | 69.6 | 1.19 | $48,610 | $28,870 | $80,950 | -20% |
| Production | 142,180 | 91.2 | 1.66 | $48,600 | $36,350 | $69,770 | +3% |
| Healthcare Support | 65,530 | 42.0 | 0.83 | $38,420 | $31,930 | $49,720 | +0% |
| Construction and Extraction | 70,570 | 45.3 | 1.10 | $59,460 | $40,110 | $89,480 | -0% |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair | 70,010 | 44.9 | 1.15 | $59,950 | $37,900 | $86,160 | +1% |
| Computer and Mathematical | 38,250 | 24.5 | 0.73 | $89,360 | $50,250 | $147,200 | -18% |
| Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance | 45,640 | 29.3 | 1.00 | $36,220 | $28,640 | $49,830 | -4% |
| Protective Service | 24,190 | 15.5 | 0.64 | $53,410 | $30,520 | $92,990 | +7% |
| Personal Care and Service | 31,560 | 20.2 | 0.97 | $30,440 | $22,170 | $50,400 | -16% |
| Community and Social Service | 24,270 | 15.6 | 0.91 | $50,510 | $35,930 | $82,040 | -13% |
| Architecture and Engineering | 20,980 | 13.5 | 0.80 | $83,690 | $57,550 | $130,810 | -16% |
| Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media | 18,580 | 11.9 | 0.91 | $50,820 | $30,480 | $93,810 | -19% |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science | 14,290 | 9.2 | 0.97 | $72,690 | $44,510 | $124,730 | -12% |
| Legal | 8,280 | 5.3 | 0.63 | $71,170 | $39,890 | $184,650 | -31% |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | 5,050 | 3.2 | 1.16 | $44,480 | $29,790 | $61,820 | +21% |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
| Rule ⇅ | In Iowa ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Minimum wage (per hour) | $7.25 (federal minimum is $7.25; the higher applies for most workers) |
| State income tax on wages | Flat 3.80% |
| Right-to-work state | Yes |
| State paid family and medical leave program | No program listed in our source |
| Employment | At-will in most states (either side can end the job with notice, with legal exceptions) |
Nationwide rules (overtime after 40 hours, family leave, discrimination, visas) are on the country guide. Many cities and counties set higher minimum wages or paid sick leave; check the local government. Confirm all figures with the official sources before acting.
| Indicator ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Price level, all items (US = 100) | 87.8 |
| Median gross rent per month | $972 |
| Median home value | $208,000 |
| Homeowners (share of households) | 71.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.1% |
| Drive alone to work | 76.0% |
| Public transit to work | 0.7% |
| Work from home | 11.3% |
| Commute of 45 minutes or more | 8.2% |
Regional price parities measure how much it costs to buy the same basket of goods and services: 100 is the national average.
5.9% of residents of Iowa were born abroad (190,062 people).
| Country of birth ⇅ | Residents ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Mexico | 44,890 |
| India | 11,701 |
| Guatemala | 7,876 |
| China, excluding Hong Kong and Taiwan | 6,972 |
| Vietnam | 6,801 |
| El Salvador | 5,976 |
| Burma (Myanmar) | 5,638 |
| Korea | 5,078 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 5,060 |
| Philippines | 4,400 |
| Sudan | 4,054 |
| Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire) | 4,047 |
| Laos | 3,648 |
| Thailand | 3,284 |
| Honduras | 3,270 |
Work permits and visas are federal. See permits and first steps and, for your country, Working in the US from your country.
$7.25 (the federal minimum is $7.25; the higher rate applies for most workers). Source: US Department of Labor.
Flat 3.80% (Tax Foundation, rates as of 01/01/2026).
3.2% in 2026M09 (BLS, seasonally adjusted).
$75,059 (Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024, 2024 dollars).
226 postings on USAJOBS today. Private-sector jobs are not included.