ocity
💰 COL Index: 92 — Below Avg Cost

Salaries in Iowa City, IA

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

Model generated 2026-02-26 · Methodology reviewed July 16, 2026 · 40 selected occupations

Selected-Role Model Average
$67,751
unweighted modeled medians; not a worker average
Purchasing-Power Model
$73,802
model average ÷ 91.8 × 100
Highest Modeled Role
Marketing Manager
$153,742
City 1BR Rent Reference
$902
monthly context; not a current quote

What does the salary model mean for Iowa City?

$67,751 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for these 40 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all local workers.

Model average$67,751/year
Gross monthly equivalent$5,646/month
Household income context$50,135

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 40-Role Set

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

🥇 -3% vs national

Marketing Manager

$153,742
💡 Purchasing-power model $167,475
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $73.91/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥈 -3% vs national

Pharmacist

$132,683
💡 Purchasing-power model $144,535
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $63.79/hr
National projected growth -3.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥉 -3% vs national

Software Developer

$124,129
💡 Purchasing-power model $135,217
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $59.68/hr
National projected growth +17.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
4️⃣ -3% vs national

Construction Manager

$105,548
💡 Purchasing-power model $114,976
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $50.74/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
5️⃣ -3% vs national

Project Manager

$98,788
💡 Purchasing-power model $107,612
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $47.49/hr
National projected growth +6.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →

📋 Complete Salary Guide — All 40 Occupations in Iowa City

Purchasing-power equivalent = modeled annual median divided by the planning cost index (91.8/100). It does not estimate taxes or take-home pay. This city cost reference is below 100.

Showing all 40 occupations.

#
1 Marketing Manager $153,742
2 Pharmacist $132,683
3 Software Developer $124,129
4 Construction Manager $105,548
5 Project Manager $98,788
6 Physical Therapist $97,257
7 Financial Analyst $96,574
8 Web Developer $90,468
9 Dental Hygienist $85,376
10 Accountant $83,962
11 Registered Nurse $83,952
12 Data Analyst $81,309
13 Police Officer $73,067
14 Human Resources Specialist $65,985
15 Elementary School Teacher $62,103
16 Plumber $61,791
17 Paralegal $61,206
18 Electrician $60,035
19 Real Estate Agent $59,967
20 Graphic Designer $59,831
21 Firefighter $55,714
22 Carpenter $55,519
23 HVAC Technician $54,300
24 Heavy Truck Driver $51,783
25 Nail Technician $48,770
26 Insurance Agent $48,770
27 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $48,770
28 Pharmacy Technician $48,770
29 Dental Assistant $48,770
30 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $48,770
31 Veterinary Technician $48,770
32 Cosmetologist $48,770
33 Social Worker $48,770
34 Chef/Head Cook $48,770
35 Personal Trainer $48,770
36 Loan Officer $48,770
37 Auto Mechanic $48,770
38 Welder $48,370
39 Medical Assistant $37,328
40 Security Guard $35,250

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

Iowa City 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 0.610×–1.462× 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 ÷ 91.8 × 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 Iowa City

🏠
1BR Rent
$902/mo
🏡
2BR Rent
$1,082/mo
🏘️
Median Home
$261,000
📉
Unemployment
2.8%
💳
Median Income
$50,135
🎓
College Educated
30%
🚶
Walk Score
35/100
📊
Cost of Living
92
Below Avg Cost
📊 Full Cost of Living Breakdown → 🏠 Real Estate Market →

🧮 Test Your Iowa City 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

❓ Iowa City Salary FAQ

What does the average salary in Iowa City mean on this page?

▼
$67,751 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for 40 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all Iowa City workers.

What is the monthly salary estimate in Iowa City?

▼
The selected-occupation model average equals about $5,646 per month before taxes and deductions. This gross arithmetic conversion is not take-home pay or household income.

What is a good salary in Iowa City?

▼
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 Iowa City?

▼
No. Each stored city planning estimate is compared with its stored national occupation reference. The estimate-to-reference relationship is 0.610×–1.462× across occupations; it is not represented as one universal city multiplier or a direct local BLS observation.

📝 Planning Takeaways for Iowa City

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 Iowa City Further

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