nonmetropolitan area · 1900003

Southwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025Southwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area

Figures describe the Southwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area, a BLS-defined region outside metropolitan areas — not a single city or town.

Median annual wage, all occupations$46,670
Total employment73,240

Across all occupations, the median wage in the Southwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area was $46,670 per year ($22.44 per hour) as of the May 2025 OEWS estimates, across 73,240 jobs. 279 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
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers3.62710$50,340
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria2.62540$35,400
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary2.451,640$30,470
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers2.232,160$57,980
Nursing Assistants2.051,400$38,910
Cashiers2.022,940$27,640
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers2.01640$71,420
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education1.851,210$60,090

All published occupations

Every detailed occupation BLS publishes for this area in May 2025 279 in total. Sort by pay, employment, or concentration.

Published occupations in the Southwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area
Occupation
Cashiers$27,640$13.292,9402.02
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$57,980$27.882,1602.23
Registered Nurses$78,960$37.961,8901.19
Fast Food and Counter Workers$27,540$13.241,6500.91
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$30,470Not published1,6402.45
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$44,260$21.281,5901.14
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$35,500$17.071,5500.77
General and Operations Managers$79,560$38.251,4600.89
Nursing Assistants$38,910$18.711,4002.05
Retail Salespersons$29,920$14.391,3700.75
Stockers and Order Fillers$38,670$18.591,3501.01
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$35,980$17.301,2701.22
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$60,090Not published1,2101.85
Office Clerks, General$40,720$19.581,1801.01
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$48,400$23.271,1701.77
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$52,000$25.009601.34
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$60,560Not published8501.69
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$46,600$22.408001.24
Customer Service Representatives$41,600$20.008000.66
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$50,340$24.207103.62
Waiters and Waitresses$20,980$10.096900.65
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$62,030$29.826801.17
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$42,340$20.356800.85
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$71,420$34.346402.01
Construction Laborers$47,210$22.706001.16
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$35,400$17.025402.62
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$37,700$18.135100.88
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$49,530$23.815101.40
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$61,700$29.664901.60
Slaughterers and Meat Packers$43,810$21.0649015.01
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$39,290$18.894701.05
Highway Maintenance Workers$56,210$27.034606.26
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$31,080$14.944501.11
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$44,050$21.184500.85
Accountants and Auditors$70,190$33.754300.64
Cooks, Fast Food$27,390$13.174301.43
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$61,010$29.334300.64
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$46,420$22.324102.32
Tellers$38,800$18.664002.56
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$50,580$24.324001.43
Bus Drivers, School$45,820$22.034002.09
Medical and Health Services Managers$102,710$49.383901.40
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$60,450Not published3901.32
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$35,390$17.013900.87
Industrial Machinery Mechanics$61,840$29.733901.90
Butchers and Meat Cutters$40,040$19.253906.06
Cooks, Restaurant$34,360$16.523800.57
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$47,700$22.933801.16
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$29,370$14.123701.65
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$46,400$22.313600.94
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$66,160$31.813600.95
First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$59,130$28.433501.18
Bartenders$20,810$10.003400.95
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$77,560$37.293401.18
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$29,030$13.963202.31
Food Preparation Workers$29,510$14.193100.74
Parts Salespersons$48,370$23.263102.40
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$57,050$27.433101.37
Financial Managers$116,220$55.873000.75
Human Resources Specialists$63,060$30.323000.71
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$66,190$31.823000.94
Production Workers, All Other$41,360$19.893002.55
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$37,090$17.832901.17
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks$45,860$22.052903.42
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators$52,680$25.332903.59
Correctional Officers and Jailers$49,920$24.002801.56
Insurance Sales Agents$54,960$26.422801.25
Postal Service Mail Carriers$56,430$27.132801.81
Food Batchmakers$47,620$22.892803.41
Childcare Workers$27,200$13.082601.06
Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians$58,940$28.3426014.42
Social and Human Service Assistants$41,990$20.192501.20
Electricians$57,550$27.672500.71
Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$49,260$23.682502.15
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$60,430$29.052401.79
Light Truck Drivers$38,310$18.422400.51
Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan$38,720$18.612303.34
Food Processing Workers, All Other$40,230$19.342307.66
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$65,320$31.402100.93
Machinists$48,000$23.082101.53
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$59,700$28.702000.48
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$47,120$22.662000.35
Carpenters$51,820$24.922000.65
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$49,920$24.002000.93
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders$47,390$22.7920013.37
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$48,700$23.412002.62
Industrial Production Managers$101,780$48.931901.66
Business Operations Specialists, All Other$60,330$29.011900.37
Child, Family, and School Social Workers$48,300$23.221901.01
Nurse Practitioners$137,420$66.071901.28
Pharmacy Technicians$44,600$21.441900.87
Agricultural Equipment Operators$46,820$22.5119014.08
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators$58,640$28.191903.20
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$102,230Not published1801.15
Training and Development Specialists$61,440$29.541800.82
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$60,770Not published1801.47
Medical Assistants$42,230$20.301800.47
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$47,550$22.861802.19
Driver/Sales Workers$43,380$20.861800.95
Packers and Packagers, Hand$38,200$18.361800.69
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks$60,320$29.001700.94
Social and Community Service Managers$65,250$31.371601.61
Computer User Support Specialists$54,720$26.311600.47
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$52,300$25.141600.67
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians$70,130$33.711601.49
Billing and Posting Clerks$43,940$21.131600.83
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$58,210$27.981600.84
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$49,460$23.781602.67
Chief Executives$173,720$83.521501.56
Loan Officers$92,160$44.311501.12
Industrial Engineers$92,240$44.351500.87
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists$35,770$17.201502.37
Pharmacists$137,160$65.941500.97
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$63,230$30.401500.97
Medical Records Specialists$48,720$23.421501.61
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$28,320$13.621500.59
Postal Service Clerks$57,820$27.801504.41
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$36,960$17.771501.99
Project Management Specialists$84,560$40.651400.28
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$56,260$27.051400.81
Recreation Workers$35,800$17.211400.91
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$57,320$27.561401.67
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers$97,660$46.951402.21
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$35,220$16.941400.78
Mechanical Engineers$80,650$38.771300.94
Physical Therapists$99,060$47.621301.04
Dental Assistants$45,810$22.021300.70
Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$29,850$14.351301.07
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$52,730$25.351300.61
Network and Computer Systems Administrators$82,480$39.661200.84
Emergency Medical Technicians$40,370$19.411201.37
Paramedics$62,900$30.241202.46
Amusement and Recreation Attendants$23,990$11.531200.66
Receptionists and Information Clerks$35,580$17.111200.29
Sales Managers$130,950$62.961100.35
Compliance Officers$63,220$30.401100.57
Rehabilitation Counselors$43,890$21.101102.45
Dental Hygienists$83,760$40.271101.00
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$24,500$11.781101.49
Library Assistants, Clerical$27,080$13.021102.82
Public Safety Telecommunicators$50,590$24.321102.19
Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$62,970$30.271101.71
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors$45,790$22.011101.61
Facilities Managers$85,130$40.931001.37
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$48,670$23.401000.53
Instructional Coordinators$76,020$36.551000.90
Security Guards$35,570$17.101000.17
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products$70,400$33.851000.73
Loan Interviewers and Clerks$48,040$23.101001.25
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse$37,590$18.071000.77
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$44,660$21.471004.78
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$90,280$43.40900.91
Managers, All Other$99,070$47.63900.30
Logisticians$83,990$40.38900.74
Software Developers$116,060$55.80900.12
Lawyers$90,240$43.39900.24
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$35,830$17.23901.54
Dishwashers$27,730$13.33900.40
First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers$79,720$38.33900.89
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$45,560$21.90900.89
Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other$21,170$10.18900.99
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$47,830$22.99900.98
Printing Press Operators$34,610$16.64901.38
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$55,620$26.74903.35
Conservation Scientists$67,200$32.31806.81
Healthcare Social Workers$63,160$30.37800.86
Library Technicians$36,090$17.35802.39
Graphic Designers$45,900$22.07800.84
Speech-Language Pathologists$81,500$39.18800.89
Family Medicine Physicians$310,780$149.41801.65
First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$47,640$22.91800.95
Automotive Body and Related Repairers$46,170$22.20801.18
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders$55,400$26.64801.25
Construction Managers$85,840$41.27700.41
Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$47,120$22.65700.45
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$46,830$22.51701.17
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education$61,690Not published701.41
Self-Enrichment Teachers$30,030$14.44700.44
Public Relations Specialists$50,400$24.23700.55
Physical Therapist Assistants$60,890$29.27701.25
Animal Caretakers$25,730$12.37700.56
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$38,120$18.33700.43
Procurement Clerks$43,660$20.99702.59
Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals$30,690$14.75704.67
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$46,910$22.55700.97
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$48,970$23.54704.76
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$34,300$16.49700.73
Helpers--Production Workers$45,470$21.86700.92
Food Service Managers$73,950$35.55600.51
Cost Estimators$76,200$36.64600.53
Financial Examiners$82,110$39.48601.92
Computer Systems Analysts$81,750$39.30600.25
Civil Engineers$90,640$43.58600.36
Agricultural Technicians$49,990$24.04608.15
Forest and Conservation Technicians$48,420$23.28603.98
Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers$40,230$19.34600.71
Occupational Therapists$101,770$48.93600.76
Veterinarians$100,640$48.39601.57
Phlebotomists$38,380$18.45600.82
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$24,490$11.77600.28
First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services$45,720$21.98601.30
Construction and Building Inspectors$64,120$30.83600.86
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other$43,770$21.04600.69
Marketing Managers$114,990$55.28500.27
Computer and Information Systems Managers$124,930$60.06500.16
Human Resources Managers$116,660$56.09500.44
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare$45,840$22.04501.56
Architectural and Engineering Managers$125,330$60.25500.47
Management Analysts$76,450$36.75500.13
Personal Financial AdvisorsNot publishedNot published500.43
Computer Occupations, All Other$80,660$38.78500.23
Mechanical Drafters$57,420$27.61502.53
Legal Support Workers, All Other$43,620$20.97502.18
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$59,720Not published500.66
Dentists, General$169,990$81.73500.79
Physician Assistants$140,100$67.36500.64
Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other$51,630$24.82500.53
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$78,390$37.69500.72
Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers$62,840$30.21504.48
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$36,050$17.33500.33
Counter and Rental Clerks$43,400$20.87500.25
First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers$58,410$28.08503.78
Tire Repairers and Changers$42,370$20.37501.02
Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door$76,690$36.87502.11
Millwrights$58,560$28.16502.44
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$48,470$23.30501.10
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$48,940$23.53501.64
Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs$34,920$16.79500.42
Education Administrators, Postsecondary$68,470$32.92400.48
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators$80,220$38.57400.28
FundraisersNot publishedNot published400.79
Property Appraisers and Assessors$66,570$32.00401.45
Electrical Engineers$102,760$49.40400.40
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians$69,780$33.55401.08
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$81,850$39.35400.63
Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers$46,030$22.13401.60
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary$62,990$30.28400.75
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School$49,890Not published400.86
Special Education Teachers, Middle School$62,960Not published400.89
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists$38,550$18.53402.15
Interpreters and Translators$34,780$16.72401.77
Optometrists$134,660$64.74401.82
Respiratory Therapists$79,200$38.08400.58
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers$92,930$44.68400.87
Opticians, Dispensing$44,260$21.28401.03
Chefs and Head Cooks$42,620$20.49400.42
Funeral Attendants$39,100$18.80402.94
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales AgentsNot publishedNot published400.17
New Accounts Clerks$44,890$21.58402.42
Sheet Metal Workers$46,940$22.57400.64
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment$75,630$36.36401.39
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers$35,590$17.11400.99
Bakers$36,190$17.40400.40
Sewing Machine Operators$35,350$17.00400.85
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers$56,360$27.10403.18
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic$45,590$21.92402.57
Machine Feeders and Offbearers$47,100$22.65402.10
Administrative Services Managers$123,100$59.18300.27
Postmasters and Mail Superintendents$90,950$43.73304.61
Credit Counselors$45,620$21.93302.33
Computer Network Support Specialists$55,060$26.47300.47
Data Scientists$69,260$33.30300.26
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians$72,980$35.09300.95
Nurse Anesthetists$290,090$139.47301.35
Pharmacy Aides$29,850$14.35301.82
Travel Agents$44,550$21.42301.28
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs$54,450$26.18300.46
Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping$43,970$21.14300.78
Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping$46,820$22.51301.27
Painters, Construction and Maintenance$48,250$23.20300.31
Tool and Die Makers$60,110$28.90301.26
Gas Plant Operators$45,930$22.08303.71
Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians$36,090$17.35305.73
Coaches and Scouts$48,140Not publishedNot publishedNot published
Farm and Home Management Educators$45,070$21.67Not publishedNot published
Foundry Mold and Coremakers$52,890$25.43Not publishedNot published
Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks$53,040$25.50Not publishedNot published
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$46,770$22.48Not publishedNot published
Order Clerks$35,140$16.89Not 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.