What is the average salary in Iowa City, IA?
Iowa City offers a range of salary opportunities for job seekers. The average yearly salary here is $56,648. This means most jobs pay around this amount. Salaries can vary a lot based on the type of work you do.
The most common salary range falls between $25,500 to $153,196 per year. This means that a large number of jobs are in this range. Below are some typical salaries in different job categories:
- Construction workers earn around $25,500
- Sales workers earn around $37,109
- Administrative assistants earn around $48,717
- Teachers earn around $60,326
- Engineers earn around $71,935
- Nurses earn around $83,544
- Software developers earn around $95,152
- Managers earn around $106,761
- Physicians earn around $118,370
- IT managers earn around $129,979
- Chief executives earn around $141,587
What are the best paying jobs in Iowa City, IA?

-
Physician
Average Salary: $250,763
Doctors diagnose and treat patients. They work in hospitals and private practices. Notable employers include Mercy Iowa City and University of Iowa Health Care.
Find Physician jobs in Iowa City, IA
-
Traveling Nurse
Average Salary: $124,562
Travel nurses provide care to patients in different locations. They work in various healthcare settings. Companies such as Aya Healthcare and Travel Nurse Across America offer opportunities.
Find Traveling Nurse jobs in Iowa City, IA
-
Nurse Practitioner
Average Salary: $112,892
Nurse practitioners diagnose and treat patients. They often work in clinics and hospitals. Employers include UnityPoint Health and local medical centers.
Find Nurse Practitioner jobs in Iowa City, IA
-
Registered Nurse
Average Salary: $111,347
RNs provide and coordinate patient care. They work in hospitals and outpatient facilities. Hospitals like University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics hire many RNs.
Find Registered Nurse jobs in Iowa City, IA
-
Physician Assistant
Average Salary: $107,468
PAs examine, diagnose, and treat patients. They work in hospitals and clinics. Employers such as Mercy Iowa City offer many positions.
Find Physician Assistant jobs in Iowa City, IA
-
Outside Sales Representative
Average Salary: $104,355
Sales reps sell products and services to businesses. They visit clients and build relationships. Companies like 3M and Black & Decker hire outside sales reps.
Find Outside Sales Representative jobs in Iowa City, IA
-
Technical Project Lead
Average Salary: $96,256
Technical project leads manage tech projects. They coordinate teams and ensure projects are completed on time. Tech firms such as Microsoft and Google often hire these leads.
Find Technical Project Lead jobs in Iowa City, IA
-
Account Manager
Average Salary: $89,710
Account managers handle client relationships. They work for advertising agencies and marketing firms. Companies such as Young & Rubicam and Ogilvy & Mather offer these roles.
Find Account Manager jobs in Iowa City, IA
-
Occupational Therapist
Average Salary: $85,066
Occupational therapists help patients recover from injuries. They work in rehabilitation centers and schools. Facilities like Mercy Iowa City hire occupational therapists.
Find Occupational Therapist jobs in Iowa City, IA
-
Regional Manager
Average Salary: $83,700
Regional managers oversee operations in a specific area. They coordinate between branches. Companies like Walgreens and Target hire regional managers.
Find Regional Manager jobs in Iowa City, IA
What are the best paying jobs in Iowa City, IA without a degree?

-
Service Team Member
Average Salary: $58,463
Working with customers to provide a positive experience. Join a friendly team at a local restaurant. Gain experience in a fast-paced environment.
Find Service Team Member jobs in Iowa City, IA
-
Housekeeping
Average Salary: $44,968
Cleaning rooms and public areas to ensure a safe environment. Work at hotels or motels. Job tasks include changing linens and restocking supplies.
Find Housekeeping jobs in Iowa City, IA
-
Groundskeeper
Average Salary: $38,918
Maintaining the grounds of a property. Tasks include mowing lawns and trimming shrubs. Work outdoors for local businesses or organizations.
Find Groundskeeper jobs in Iowa City, IA
-
Food Service Aide
Average Salary: $34,201
Helping to prepare and serve food. Work in a school or hospital cafeteria. Duties may include washing dishes and cleaning tables.
Find Food Service Aide jobs in Iowa City, IA
-
Line Cook
Average Salary: $33,525
Preparing food under the direction of a head cook. Work in a busy kitchen. Tasks may include chopping vegetables and cooking meats.
Find Line Cook jobs in Iowa City, IA
-
Server
Average Salary: $31,761
Taking orders and serving food and drinks. Work at a local eatery. Job duties include clearing tables and helping customers with their orders.
Find Server jobs in Iowa City, IA
-
Dishwasher
Average Salary: $31,571
Washing dishes and kitchen utensils. Work in a fast-paced environment. Job tasks include loading and unloading dishwashers.
Find Dishwasher jobs in Iowa City, IA
-
Barista
Average Salary: $28,465
Preparing and serving coffee and other beverages. Work at a local coffee shop. Duties may include cleaning equipment and restocking supplies.
Find Barista jobs in Iowa City, IA
Which companies offer the top salaries in Iowa City, IA?

-
Health Carousel Nursing & Allied Health
Average Salary: $144,087
Health Carousel offers travel nursing and allied health jobs. They focus on helping healthcare professionals find temporary positions with good pay.
-
Health Carousel
Average Salary: $143,584
A sister company to Health Carousel Nursing & Allied Health, this firm also specializes in temporary healthcare placements.
-
Cross Country Healthcare
Average Salary: $136,414
Cross Country Healthcare is a global leader in travel nursing and allied health staffing. They offer competitive salaries and benefits.
-
Supplemental Health Care
Average Salary: $112,354
This company provides staffing services for healthcare workers. They offer short-term and long-term placements with good pay.
-
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Average Salary: $107,769
The VA offers a range of jobs for healthcare professionals. They provide benefits like health insurance and retirement plans.
-
Medical Solutions
Average Salary: $98,966
Medical Solutions is a healthcare staffing firm. They place nurses and allied health professionals in various positions.
-
Johnson County Iowa
Average Salary: $65,623
Johnson County provides government jobs. They offer roles in public safety, education, and administration.
-
City of Iowa City
Average Salary: $64,354
The City of Iowa City offers municipal jobs. They work in areas like public works, parks and recreation, and city planning.
-
Bryant Heating & Air Conditioning
Average Salary: $58,852
Bryant offers jobs in HVAC services. They provide installation, maintenance, and repair services for heating and cooling systems.
-
UNFI
Average Salary: $52,595
UNFI is a distributor of food products. They work with grocery stores, restaurants, and other food service providers.
How does the cost of living in Iowa City, IA compare to the national average?

Iowa City, IA, boasts a cost of living index that is notably lower than the nationwide average, which is set at 100. Specifically, the overall cost of living in Iowa City is approximately 88, indicating that residents can expect to spend less on various essentials and services compared to the national standard. Housing costs in Iowa City stand at 85, which means they are 15% lower than the national average. This reduction in housing expenses can make living in Iowa City a more affordable option for many individuals and families.
When examining other categories, the cost of groceries in Iowa City is slightly above the national average at 92, showing a 2% increase. Utilities, essential for daily living, are also slightly above the average, with an index of 98, which reflects an 8% rise. Transportation costs in Iowa City are set at 90, which is 10% lower than the national average, offering a small savings for those relying on personal vehicles. Healthcare costs in Iowa City are 95, indicating a modest 5% increase compared to the national average. Miscellaneous costs, which cover a range of smaller expenses, are at 88, showing an overall 12% decrease from the national average. Overall, the cost of living in Iowa City offers a blend of lower and slightly higher expenses when compared to the nationwide average.



