ocity
💰 COL Index: 93 — Below Avg Cost

Salaries in Council Bluffs, IA

Modeled occupation planning estimates with gross-pay and cost-context formulas.

Model generated 2026-02-26 · Methodology reviewed July 16, 2026 · 39 selected occupations

Selected-Role Model Average
$68,732
unweighted modeled medians; not a worker average
Purchasing-Power Model
$74,305
model average ÷ 92.5 × 100
Highest Modeled Role
Marketing Manager
$154,073
City 1BR Rent Reference
$971
monthly context; not a current quote

What does the salary model mean for Council Bluffs?

$68,732 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for these 39 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all local workers.

Model average$68,732/year
Gross monthly equivalent$5,728/month
Household income context$64,092

Keep the measures separate: gross monthly salary is before taxes and deductions; household income can include multiple earners; the selected-role model average is not weighted by local employment.

🏆 Highest Modeled Values in This 39-Role Set

Ranked by modeled annual occupation median. These are planning estimates, not direct local OEWS rows.

🥇 -2% vs national

Marketing Manager

$154,073
💡 Purchasing-power model $166,565
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $74.07/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥈 -2% vs national

Pharmacist

$132,969
💡 Purchasing-power model $143,750
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $63.93/hr
National projected growth -3.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥉 -2% vs national

Software Developer

$124,396
💡 Purchasing-power model $134,482
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $59.81/hr
National projected growth +17.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
4️⃣ -2% vs national

Construction Manager

$105,775
💡 Purchasing-power model $114,351
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $50.85/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
5️⃣ -2% vs national

Project Manager

$99,001
💡 Purchasing-power model $107,028
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $47.60/hr
National projected growth +6.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →

📋 Complete Salary Guide — All 39 Occupations in Council Bluffs

Purchasing-power equivalent = modeled annual median divided by the planning cost index (92.5/100). It does not estimate taxes or take-home pay. This city cost reference is below 100.

Showing all 39 occupations.

#
1 Marketing Manager $154,073
2 Pharmacist $132,969
3 Software Developer $124,396
4 Construction Manager $105,775
5 Project Manager $99,001
6 Physical Therapist $97,466
7 Financial Analyst $96,782
8 Web Developer $90,663
9 Dental Hygienist $85,560
10 Accountant $84,143
11 Registered Nurse $84,133
12 Data Analyst $81,484
13 Police Officer $73,224
14 Human Resources Specialist $66,127
15 Elementary School Teacher $62,237
16 Plumber $61,924
17 Paralegal $61,338
18 Electrician $60,165
19 Real Estate Agent $60,096
20 Graphic Designer $59,959
21 Firefighter $55,834
22 Carpenter $55,639
23 HVAC Technician $54,417
24 Heavy Truck Driver $51,895
25 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $48,875
26 Dental Assistant $48,875
27 Pharmacy Technician $48,875
28 Social Worker $48,875
29 Veterinary Technician $48,875
30 Auto Mechanic $48,875
31 Chef/Head Cook $48,875
32 Personal Trainer $48,875
33 Cosmetologist $48,875
34 Nail Technician $48,875
35 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $48,875
36 Insurance Agent $48,875
37 Loan Officer $48,875
38 Welder $48,474
39 Medical Assistant $37,408

OCity planning estimates. National occupation references are inputs; displayed city values are modeled rather than direct local BLS occupation rows.

Council Bluffs salary model: formulas, sources and limitations

Stored occupation model comparison

modeled estimate ÷ stored national reference = row comparison

On this owner, estimate-to-reference ratios are 0.611×–1.466× across occupations. Ratios can vary by occupation, so this is not described as one citywide multiplier or a direct local OEWS download.

Purchasing-power equivalent

modeled estimate ÷ 92.5 × 100

This comparison does not estimate taxes or take-home pay and is not an official BLS adjustment.

Limitations. “Average” is unweighted across selected occupations. Growth fields are national occupation projections, not local forecasts. City and metro geographies can differ. Repeated stored employment counts are not presented as local jobs.
BLS OEWS methodologyBLS national projectionsCensus/ACS income context

Model generated 2026-02-26; methodology reviewed July 16, 2026.

🏙️ Living Costs in Council Bluffs

🏠
1BR Rent
$971/mo
🏡
2BR Rent
$1,170/mo
🏘️
Median Home
$235,000
📉
Unemployment
2.8%
💳
Median Income
$64,092
🎓
College Educated
22%
🚶
Walk Score
35/100
📊
Cost of Living
93
Below Avg Cost
📊 Full Cost of Living Breakdown → 🏠 Real Estate Market →

🧮 Test Your Council Bluffs Budget

Use scenario tools to compare gross pay and city cost context. Results depend on the inputs and do not guarantee take-home pay, housing approval or affordability.

💰 Decode a Job Offer 🔄 Salary Equivalence Calculator 🔍 Career Arbitrage Tool

❓ Council Bluffs Salary FAQ

What does the average salary in Council Bluffs mean on this page?

▼
$68,732 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for 39 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all Council Bluffs workers.

What is the monthly salary estimate in Council Bluffs?

▼
The selected-occupation model average equals about $5,728 per month before taxes and deductions. This gross arithmetic conversion is not take-home pay or household income.

What is a good salary in Council Bluffs?

▼
There is no universal threshold. Household size, current housing quotes, taxes, debt, benefits, transportation and other recurring costs determine fit. The figures here are planning references, not affordability guarantees.

Are these direct local BLS salary observations for Council Bluffs?

▼
No. Each stored city planning estimate is compared with its stored national occupation reference. The estimate-to-reference relationship is 0.611×–1.466× across occupations; it is not represented as one universal city multiplier or a direct local BLS observation.

📝 Planning Takeaways for Council Bluffs

Use the occupation rows to compare modeled gross-pay references, not to predict an offer. Validate the exact role, experience level, employer, benefits and location. Then model taxes and current household costs before making a relocation or career decision.

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Explore Council Bluffs Further

🏙️ Council Bluffs City Overview 💰 Cost of Living 🏠 Real Estate 📊 Browse Salaries by City 💼 All Career Guides 🏘️ Neighborhood Guide 🔍 Career Arbitrage