Iowa Jobs and Wages
Wages, unemployment, minimum wage, benefits, visa filings and federal openings for Iowa from BLS, the Department of Labor and USAJOBS.
- Median wage
- $48,540 a year
- May 2025
- Unemployment rate
- 3.2%
- Sep 2026
- Minimum wage
- $7.25/hr
- Federal rate applies
- Average weekly jobless benefit
- $551
- Sep 2026
Highest paying jobs in Iowa
Occupations with at least 100 jobs
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| # | Occupation | Employment | Median wage | Mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emergency Medicine Physicians | 290 | $429,050 | $401,640 |
| 2 | Radiologists | 130 | $405,220 | $344,000 |
| 3 | Surgeons, All Other | 110 | $370,390 | $488,900 |
| 4 | Obstetricians and Gynecologists | 180 | $356,020 | $311,940 |
| 5 | Psychiatrists | 170 | $295,270 | $273,190 |
| 6 | Physicians, All Other | 1,440 | $295,190 | $273,160 |
| 7 | Cardiologists | 100 | $283,070 | $306,670 |
| 8 | Nurse Anesthetists | 380 | $273,070 | $253,510 |
Most common jobs in Iowa
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| # | Occupation | Employment | Median wage | Mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cashiers | 41,450 | $28,970 | $30,200 |
| 2 | Retail Salespersons | 41,000 | $31,360 | $34,480 |
| 3 | Fast Food and Counter Workers | 40,290 | $28,390 | $28,940 |
| 4 | Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | 35,040 | $58,070 | $60,070 |
| 5 | Registered Nurses | 34,420 | $78,630 | $80,540 |
| 6 | Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 30,890 | $43,490 | $43,520 |
| 7 | General and Operations Managers | 30,760 | $87,690 | $106,800 |
| 8 | Customer Service Representatives | 30,100 | $46,090 | $47,740 |
Wages by metro area
Visa filings for jobs in this state
Employer filings with the Department of Labor
- H-1B (FY 2026 through Q3)1,679 certified, median offer $100,838
- PERM (FY 2026 through Q3)383 certified, median offer $86,590
Top H-1B employers in Iowa
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| # | Employer | Certified | Median wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The University of Iowa | 244 | $84,550 |
| 2 | Iowa State University of Science and Technology | 115 | $80,000 |
| 3 | Rockwell Collins Inc. | 82 | $133,494 |
| 4 | Cognizant Technology Solutions US Corp | 61 | $106,122 |
| 5 | Deere & Company | 24 | $119,350 |
| 6 | Iowa Physicians Clinic Medical Foundation | 23 | $550,000 |
| 7 | Genesis Health System | 21 | $81,702 |
| 8 | Ernst & Young U.S. LLP | 18 | $115,162 |
More Iowa labor data
- Unemployment by county3.2% statewide
- Jobs by industry1.59 million jobs, +0.3% in a year
- Minimum wage$7.25 an hour
- Unemployment benefits$551 a week on average
- Union membership6.8% in 2025
- Federal job openings170 open now
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median wage in Iowa?
- The median wage for all occupations in Iowa is $48,540 a year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025).
- What is the unemployment rate in Iowa?
- Iowa's unemployment rate was 3.2% in Sep 2026 (seasonally adjusted).
- What is the highest paying job in Iowa?
- Emergency Medicine Physicians have the highest median wage among occupations with at least 100 jobs in Iowa: $429,050 a year.