metropolitan statistical area · 26980

Iowa City, IA

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025Iowa City, IA metro area

Figures describe the Iowa City, IA metropolitan statistical area as defined by BLS/OMB — the whole multi-county metro region, not Iowa City city limits.

Median annual wage, all occupations$50,060
Total employment93,760

Across all occupations, the median wage in the Iowa City, IA metro area was $50,060 per year ($24.07 per hour) as of the May 2025 OEWS estimates, across 93,760 jobs. 300 detailed occupations are published for this area.

Most concentrated occupations

Occupations far more common here than in the U.S. overall (location quotient ≥ 1.5, published estimates only) — a truthful picture of what makes this area’s job mix distinctive.

Location quotient: local share of employment ÷ national share
OccupationLocation quotientEmploymentMedian annual
Biological Technicians12.30520$48,050
Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other6.84790$47,600
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors2.37500$59,850
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants2.221,290$50,130
Registered Nurses2.004,090$85,940
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria1.93510$36,670
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers1.902,360$61,960
Medical and Health Services Managers1.88680$107,570

All published occupations

Every detailed occupation BLS publishes for this area in May 2025 300 in total. Sort by pay, employment, or concentration.

Published occupations in the Iowa City, IA metro area
Occupation
Registered Nurses$85,940$41.324,0902.00
Fast Food and Counter Workers$28,760$13.832,8901.24
Retail Salespersons$29,940$14.392,7101.15
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$61,960$29.792,3601.90
Cashiers$29,080$13.982,0901.12
Waiters and Waitresses$22,030$10.591,8901.38
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$35,630$17.131,7800.68
General and Operations Managers$81,120$39.001,6000.76
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$37,660$18.111,5401.16
Stockers and Order Fillers$36,440$17.521,3500.79
Nursing Assistants$39,330$18.911,3101.50
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$30,340Not published1,2901.51
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$50,130$24.101,2902.22
Office Clerks, General$46,480$22.351,2300.83
Customer Service Representatives$42,340$20.351,1900.76
Cooks, Restaurant$35,910$17.271,0601.25
Business Operations Specialists, All Other$78,850$37.919101.39
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$38,970$18.738501.15
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$38,060$18.308300.47
Construction Laborers$47,940$23.058001.21
Accountants and Auditors$75,100$36.117900.90
Bartenders$21,900$10.537901.73
Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other$47,600$22.897906.84
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$60,870Not published7600.90
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$47,760$22.967100.77
Software Developers$107,680$51.776900.68
Medical and Health Services Managers$107,570$51.726801.88
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$49,220$23.666600.80
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$45,390$21.826300.62
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$47,290$22.746100.90
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$67,440$32.436000.80
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$66,430$31.946000.70
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$62,100Not published5900.92
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$39,580$19.035901.03
Light Truck Drivers$42,030$20.215600.94
Biological Technicians$48,050$23.1052012.30
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$36,670$17.635101.93
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$59,850$28.785002.37
Human Resources Specialists$71,120$34.194800.88
Medical Assistants$43,550$20.944800.97
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$81,580$39.224704.48
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$30,720$14.774701.62
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$36,850$17.724701.50
Physicians, All Other$257,340$123.724702.25
Billing and Posting Clerks$50,050$24.064701.93
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$63,790$30.674600.85
Pharmacy Technicians$43,500$20.914601.61
Childcare Workers$29,170$14.024601.48
Pharmacists$142,530$68.534502.34
Cooks, Fast Food$29,200$14.044401.15
Social and Human Service Assistants$39,940$19.204301.64
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$62,740$30.164301.53
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$44,620$21.454300.50
Project Management Specialists$96,820$46.554200.65
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$52,140$25.074202.09
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$61,380Not published4101.09
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$32,110$15.444000.78
Amusement and Recreation Attendants$28,870$13.884001.68
Financial Managers$132,220$63.573900.76
Computer User Support Specialists$61,750$29.693700.85
Electricians$59,510$28.613700.81
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$75,380$36.243600.74
Carpenters$49,680$23.893600.89
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$49,960$24.023600.85
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$66,400$31.923301.40
Nurse Practitioners$129,030$62.043301.68
Medical Records Specialists$66,340$31.903302.79
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$62,160$29.893300.43
Education Administrators, Postsecondary$101,330$48.723202.92
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$76,190$36.633200.79
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$46,990$22.593200.64
Animal Caretakers$33,510$16.113001.84
Receptionists and Information Clerks$38,740$18.633000.56
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$66,810$32.122900.98
Correctional Officers and Jailers$52,640$25.312901.24
Dishwashers$29,530$14.202901.02
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$74,880$36.002900.77
Dental Assistants$49,230$23.672801.18
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$28,510$13.712801.07
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$68,960$33.162800.68
Self-Enrichment Teachers$44,070$21.192701.36
Security Guards$39,540$19.012700.35
Food Preparation Workers$35,120$16.892700.50
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$28,860$13.872700.83
Computer Occupations, All Other$106,890$51.392601.00
First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$58,570$28.162600.69
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$29,350$14.112501.43
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$66,660$32.052400.80
Coaches and ScoutsNot publishedNot published2401.62
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians$65,820$31.652401.69
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$35,950$17.282401.27
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$36,240$17.422401.06
Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$58,350$28.052301.25
Physician Assistants$134,770$64.792302.30
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$63,690$30.622300.59
Tellers$40,680$19.562301.17
Compliance Officers$79,060$38.012200.86
Network and Computer Systems Administrators$87,770$42.202201.14
Child, Family, and School Social Workers$48,790$23.462200.91
Social and Community Service Managers$66,420$31.942101.63
Training and Development Specialists$64,650$31.082100.77
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$60,530$29.102100.73
Public Relations Specialists$64,170$30.852001.19
Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$33,290$16.012001.26
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$49,270$23.692000.56
Instructional Coordinators$67,400$32.411901.35
Insurance Sales Agents$71,440$34.351900.65
Library Assistants, Clerical$33,690$16.201903.66
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$61,350$29.491900.69
Bus Drivers, School$48,530$23.331900.76
Managers, All Other$109,140$52.471800.49
Management Analysts$84,100$40.431800.34
Computer Systems Analysts$82,040$39.441800.57
Industrial Engineers$85,800$41.251800.81
Physical Therapists$94,480$45.421801.09
Recreation Workers$31,740$15.261800.89
Data Scientists$72,120$34.671701.07
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists$77,680$37.351702.10
Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other$86,880$41.771709.88
Butchers and Meat Cutters$35,810$17.221702.06
Driver/Sales Workers$36,060$17.341700.67
Packers and Packagers, Hand$37,340$17.951700.51
Computer and Information Systems Managers$134,210$64.531600.40
Human Resources Managers$118,070$56.771601.20
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$103,420Not published1600.81
Healthcare Social Workers$67,820$32.601601.40
Chefs and Head Cooks$48,760$23.441601.31
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$49,590$23.841601.68
Fundraisers$60,240$28.961502.30
Computer Network Support Specialists$66,680$32.061501.70
Respiratory Therapists$75,110$36.111501.77
Paramedics$66,090$31.771502.52
Medical Equipment Preparers$39,170$18.831503.32
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$34,900$16.781500.76
Postal Service Mail Carriers$64,890$31.201500.74
Highway Maintenance Workers$60,110$28.901501.60
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$64,440$30.981500.61
Bakers$37,140$17.851501.05
Construction Managers$97,710$46.981400.63
Food Service Managers$75,150$36.131400.97
Rehabilitation Counselors$38,640$18.581402.47
Lawyers$127,210$61.161400.30
Facilities Managers$106,340$51.121301.41
Industrial Production Managers$106,130$51.021300.85
Civil Engineers$93,020$44.721300.57
Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other$62,690$30.141301.22
First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$48,740$23.431301.21
Loan Interviewers and Clerks$53,850$25.891301.34
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks$54,140$26.031300.55
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$57,780$27.781300.51
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$37,430$18.001301.09
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$46,670$22.441300.29
Logisticians$73,920$35.541200.82
Financial and Investment Analysts$80,810$38.851200.53
Loan Officers$98,630$47.421200.72
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$61,440Not published1200.74
Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other$57,560$27.671201.64
Dental Hygienists$92,020$44.241200.88
Surgical Technologists$58,930$28.331201.63
Parts Salespersons$39,160$18.831200.72
Procurement Clerks$48,870$23.501203.65
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$60,150$28.921200.68
Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs$36,830$17.711200.83
Chief Executives$205,340$98.721100.89
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health$63,690$30.621105.03
Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other$62,920$30.251102.36
Graphic Designers$49,350$23.731100.95
Counter and Rental Clerks$44,020$21.171100.46
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products$102,900$49.471100.65
Industrial Machinery Mechanics$63,490$30.521100.40
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators$63,450$30.511101.48
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$38,550$18.541100.47
Sales Managers$126,520$60.831000.27
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare$47,570$22.871002.28
Natural Sciences Managers$100,340$48.241001.59
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners$48,030$23.091001.20
Computer Programmers$113,590$54.611001.77
Editors$63,440$30.501001.78
Chiropractors$77,970$37.491004.26
Occupational Therapists$91,560$44.021001.05
Speech-Language Pathologists$78,960$37.961000.89
General Internal Medicine Physicians$82,590$39.711002.58
Pharmacy Aides$36,370$17.491004.38
First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services$47,410$22.801001.69
First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers$79,250$38.101000.76
Automotive Body and Related Repairers$59,070$28.401001.11
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other$51,590$24.801000.98
Printing Press Operators$47,780$22.971001.18
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$51,570$24.791001.68
Cost Estimators$75,070$36.09900.63
Library Technicians$61,300$29.47902.05
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers$86,940$41.80901.62
Healthcare Support Workers, All Other$51,630$24.82901.34
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$105,570$50.75900.95
Firefighters$50,600$24.33900.45
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$69,510$33.42900.32
New Accounts Clerks$45,280$21.77903.93
Painters, Construction and Maintenance$44,960$21.62900.66
Production Workers, All Other$35,040$16.85900.57
Marketing Managers$118,850$57.14800.36
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators$74,330$35.74800.43
Information Security Analysts$120,370$57.87800.66
Biological Scientists, All Other$80,100$38.51802.41
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$62,760Not published800.78
Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers$37,720$18.13800.77
Phlebotomists$37,540$18.05800.92
Information and Record Clerks, All Other$58,430$28.09801.03
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$58,130$27.95800.65
Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians$60,950$29.31803.70
Public Relations Managers$127,760$61.42701.60
Administrative Services Managers$120,940$58.14700.46
Personal Financial Advisors$89,860$43.20700.43
Computer Network Architects$96,790$46.54700.66
Architectural and Civil Drafters$59,990$28.84701.09
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$78,780$37.88701.33
Agricultural Technicians$59,820$28.76707.46
Dietitians and Nutritionists$65,420$31.45701.59
Emergency Medical Technicians$52,210$25.10700.68
Residential Advisors$39,350$18.92701.30
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks$57,320$27.56700.63
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$51,880$24.94700.58
Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$62,870$30.23700.81
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$63,740$30.65700.61
Food Batchmakers$48,030$23.09700.69
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval$98,220$47.22600.97
Electrical Engineers$107,000$51.44600.48
Mechanical Engineers$96,190$46.25600.35
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$92,210$44.33601.25
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$55,350$26.61600.74
Psychiatric Technicians$45,210$21.74600.65
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other$41,920$20.16602.79
Physical Therapist Assistants$58,140$27.95600.82
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$30,620$14.72600.67
First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers$57,860$27.82600.76
Construction and Building Inspectors$78,030$37.51600.68
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors$56,810$27.31600.62
Fundraising Managers$105,240$50.60501.97
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$100,620$48.38500.39
Architectural and Engineering Managers$151,850$73.01500.36
Database Administrators$101,580$48.84501.17
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$89,570$43.06500.61
Social Workers, All Other$90,900$43.70501.29
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education$49,880Not published500.70
Special Education Teachers, Middle School$62,860Not published500.91
Interior Designers$58,890$28.31501.08
Producers and Directors$63,090$30.33500.61
Writers and Authors$49,000$23.56501.71
Dentists, General$199,410$95.87500.61
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$47,720$22.94500.61
Opticians, Dispensing$46,000$22.12501.02
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$35,310$16.98500.63
Cooks, Short Order$35,990$17.30500.62
First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers$44,580$21.43500.77
Sales and Related Workers, All Other$34,240$16.46500.86
Medical Equipment Repairers$59,280$28.50501.30
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers$34,650$16.66500.83
Parking Attendants$31,270$15.03500.63
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling$79,480$38.21401.77
Budget Analysts$134,850$64.83401.44
Financial Examiners$65,240$31.37401.00
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians$69,950$33.63401.02
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians$69,130$33.24400.62
Chemists$65,270$31.38400.88
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other$29,290$14.08400.61
Tutors$43,920$21.12400.38
Recreational Therapists$60,140$28.92404.10
Veterinarians$128,180$61.63400.86
Audiologists$97,180$46.72404.36
Anesthesiologists$407,230$195.78401.52
Orthotists and Prosthetists$95,290$45.81406.53
Athletic Trainers$62,660Not published402.20
Skincare Specialists$46,010$22.12400.93
Real Estate Sales AgentsNot publishedNot published400.37
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks$56,430$27.13400.41
Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping$55,650$26.75400.69
Public Safety Telecommunicators$57,310$27.56400.68
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$46,140$22.18400.38
Data Entry Keyers$40,260$19.36400.57
Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks$49,060$23.59400.34
Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service$43,240$20.79401.12
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse$31,700$15.24400.26
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers$103,000$49.52400.45
Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers$60,890$29.27400.64
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$50,430$24.25400.39
Credit Counselors$51,710$24.86301.80
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$75,330$36.22300.30
Web and Digital Interface DesignersNot publishedNot published300.49
Engineers, All Other$102,660$49.36300.37
Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other$79,220$38.09300.84
Surveying and Mapping Technicians$59,350$28.53300.87
Soil and Plant Scientists$84,360$40.56303.64
Legal Support Workers, All Other$45,460$21.86301.21
Family Medicine Physicians$208,900$100.43300.50
Psychiatrists$161,550$77.67301.90
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians$42,730$20.54300.73
Physical Therapist Aides$27,700$13.32301.13
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$63,600$30.58300.54
Word Processors and TypistsNot publishedNot published301.45
Agricultural Equipment Operators$46,940$22.57301.82
Structural Iron and Steel Workers$78,800$37.88Not publishedNot published

About this data. Estimates are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 release, retrieved from bls.gov/oes/tables.htm on July 24, 2026. OEWS estimates describe metropolitan/nonmetropolitan areas and states — not city limits — and are not designed for year-over-year comparisons. See BLS methodology, our plain-English methodology, and sources. CitySalaryData is independent and not affiliated with BLS.