Updated May 2026 · BLS OEWS 2025 reference period
64 Highest Paying Jobs in Iowa (2026)
The highest-paying job in Iowa is Obstetrician/Gynecologist with a state-aggregated median salary of $369,390 as of 2026, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data weighted across the state's 1 BLS-tracked metro. Across all 64 occupations the average median is $106,494, with 27 occupations paying a six-figure ($100K+) median. Iowa's average cost-of-living index is 93, so the average median equates to $114,510 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
The 64 occupations below are ranked by median wage across Iowa — rolling up wage data across all metropolitan areas in the state. State-level rollups smooth over the substantial intra-state wage variation typical of larger states. For state-level wage comparisons, BLS OEWS state files aggregate across MSAs and non-MSA areas. The aggregation hides legitimate within-state differences: a job in Iowa's primary metro often pays substantially more (and costs substantially more to live near) than the same job in smaller cities.
Use the per-metro pages for the geographic-specific view. The state-level ranking is most useful for comparing Iowa to other states, not for comparing within-state options.
Top 10 Highest-Paying Jobs in Iowa
Ranked by state-aggregated median (50th percentile) salary, employment-weighted across Iowa's single tracked metro.
State median $369,390 · 40 jobs · top metro: Des Moines ($369,390)
Obstetrician/Gynecologists in Iowa earn $369,390 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Des Moines) pays $369,390 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $271,190 · 90 jobs · top metro: Des Moines ($271,190)
Pediatricians in Iowa earn $271,190 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Des Moines) pays $271,190 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $265,200 · 250 jobs · top metro: Des Moines ($265,200)
Family Medicine Physicians in Iowa earn $265,200 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Des Moines) pays $265,200 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $209,300 · 360 jobs · top metro: Des Moines ($209,300)
Dentists in Iowa earn $209,300 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Des Moines) pays $209,300 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $164,840 · 2,050 jobs · top metro: Des Moines ($164,840)
Computer and Information Systems Managers in Iowa earn $164,840 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Des Moines) pays $164,840 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $154,140 · 3,800 jobs · top metro: Des Moines ($154,140)
Financial Managers in Iowa earn $154,140 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Des Moines) pays $154,140 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $141,110 · 850 jobs · top metro: Des Moines ($141,110)
Pharmacists in Iowa earn $141,110 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Des Moines) pays $141,110 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $138,140 · 520 jobs · top metro: Des Moines ($138,140)
Human Resources Managers in Iowa earn $138,140 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Des Moines) pays $138,140 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $136,570 · 1,200 jobs · top metro: Des Moines ($136,570)
Sales Managers in Iowa earn $136,570 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Des Moines) pays $136,570 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $135,140 · 950 jobs · top metro: Des Moines ($135,140)
Marketing Managers in Iowa earn $135,140 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Des Moines) pays $135,140 median, materially above the state aggregate.
Full Ranking: All 64 Tracked Occupations
| Rank | Role | Category | State Median | Top Metro | Top Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Obstetrician/Gynecologist | Healthcare | $369,390 | Des Moines | $369,390 | 40 |
| 2 | Pediatrician | Healthcare | $271,190 | Des Moines | $271,190 | 90 |
| 3 | Family Medicine Physician | Healthcare | $265,200 | Des Moines | $265,200 | 250 |
| 4 | Dentist | Healthcare | $209,300 | Des Moines | $209,300 | 360 |
| 5 | Computer and Information Systems Manager | Technology | $164,840 | Des Moines | $164,840 | 2,050 |
| 6 | Financial Manager | Finance | $154,140 | Des Moines | $154,140 | 3,800 |
| 7 | Pharmacist | Healthcare | $141,110 | Des Moines | $141,110 | 850 |
| 8 | Human Resources Manager | Management | $138,140 | Des Moines | $138,140 | 520 |
| 9 | Sales Manager | Management | $136,570 | Des Moines | $136,570 | 1,200 |
| 10 | Marketing Manager | Management | $135,140 | Des Moines | $135,140 | 950 |
| 11 | Lawyer | Legal | $134,560 | Des Moines | $134,560 | 1,760 |
| 12 | Physician Assistant | Healthcare | $133,830 | Des Moines | $133,830 | 340 |
| 13 | Nurse Practitioner | Healthcare | $132,230 | Des Moines | $132,230 | 820 |
| 14 | Veterinarian | Healthcare | $130,900 | Des Moines | $130,900 | 210 |
| 15 | Optometrist | Healthcare | $129,780 | Des Moines | $129,780 | 110 |
| 16 | Software Developer | Technology | $126,460 | Des Moines | $126,460 | 4,240 |
| 17 | Information Security Analyst | Technology | $123,740 | Des Moines | $123,740 | 720 |
| 18 | Database Architect | Technology | $109,750 | Des Moines | $109,750 | 130 |
| 19 | Computer Occupations (Other) | Technology | $109,490 | Des Moines | $109,490 | 1,770 |
| 20 | Computer Network Architect | Technology | $108,280 | Des Moines | $108,280 | 640 |
| 21 | Electrical Engineer | Engineering | $107,040 | Des Moines | $107,040 | 280 |
| 22 | Audiologist | Healthcare | $104,580 | Des Moines | $104,580 | 70 |
| 23 | Data Scientist | Technology | $103,030 | Des Moines | $103,030 | 1,240 |
| 24 | Computer Systems Analyst | Technology | $102,070 | Des Moines | $102,070 | 2,680 |
| 25 | Medical and Health Services Manager | Healthcare | $101,550 | Des Moines | $101,550 | 1,330 |
| 26 | Loan Officer | Finance | $101,190 | Des Moines | $101,190 | 650 |
| 27 | Engineers (Other) | Engineering | $100,880 | Des Moines | $100,880 | 260 |
| 28 | General and Operations Manager | Management | $98,780 | Des Moines | $98,780 | 8,370 |
| 29 | Financial Analyst | Finance | $98,490 | Des Moines | $98,490 | 1,160 |
| 30 | Industrial Engineer | Engineering | $98,270 | Des Moines | $98,270 | 520 |
| 31 | Software Quality Assurance Tester | Technology | $98,190 | Des Moines | $98,190 | 440 |
| 32 | Physical Therapist | Healthcare | $97,790 | Des Moines | $97,790 | 740 |
| 33 | Architect | Engineering | $97,460 | Des Moines | $97,460 | 310 |
| 34 | Civil Engineer | Engineering | $97,330 | Des Moines | $97,330 | 830 |
| 35 | Personal Financial Advisor | Finance | $94,270 | Des Moines | $94,270 | 640 |
| 36 | Dental Hygienist | Healthcare | $93,660 | Des Moines | $93,660 | 750 |
| 37 | Management Analyst | Management | $90,730 | Des Moines | $90,730 | 2,110 |
| 38 | Network Architect | Technology | $89,800 | Des Moines | $89,800 | 1,000 |
| 39 | Mechanical Engineer | Engineering | $85,490 | Des Moines | $85,490 | 390 |
| 40 | Financial Examiner | Finance | $85,450 | Des Moines | $85,450 | 460 |
| 41 | Speech-Language Pathologist | Healthcare | $84,080 | Des Moines | $84,080 | 380 |
| 42 | Operations Research Analyst | Technology | $83,410 | Des Moines | $83,410 | 190 |
| 43 | Business Professor (Postsecondary) | Education | $82,730 | Des Moines | $82,730 | 100 |
| 44 | Accountant | Finance | $79,290 | Des Moines | $79,290 | 4,850 |
| 45 | Computer Programmer | Technology | $79,200 | Des Moines | $79,200 | 320 |
| 46 | Occupational Therapist | Healthcare | $78,770 | Des Moines | $78,770 | 340 |
| 47 | Registered Nurse | Healthcare | $78,630 | Des Moines | $78,630 | 8,130 |
| 48 | Market Research Analyst | Management | $76,580 | Des Moines | $76,580 | 3,440 |
| 49 | Web Developer | Technology | $75,680 | Des Moines | $75,680 | 210 |
| 50 | Plumber | Trades | $75,040 | Des Moines | $75,040 | 2,150 |
| 51 | Public Relations Specialist | Creative | $70,660 | Des Moines | $70,660 | 1,050 |
| 52 | Writer/Author | Creative | $63,010 | Des Moines | $63,010 | 90 |
| 53 | Electrician | Trades | $62,840 | Des Moines | $62,840 | 2,870 |
| 54 | Secondary School Teacher | Education | $62,480 | Des Moines | $62,480 | 2,660 |
| 55 | Computer Network Support Specialist | Technology | $62,050 | Des Moines | $62,050 | 640 |
| 56 | Web Designer | Technology | $61,960 | Des Moines | $61,960 | 150 |
| 57 | Elementary School Teacher | Education | $61,650 | Des Moines | $61,650 | 3,640 |
| 58 | Carpenter | Trades | $61,360 | Des Moines | $61,360 | 1,810 |
| 59 | Automotive Technician | Trades | $60,470 | Des Moines | $60,470 | 1,870 |
| 60 | Paralegal | Legal | $60,080 | Des Moines | $60,080 | 1,190 |
| 61 | Welder | Trades | $59,980 | Des Moines | $59,980 | 1,170 |
| 62 | Statistician | Technology | $58,840 | Des Moines | $58,840 | 0 |
| 63 | Graphic Designer | Creative | $56,520 | Des Moines | $56,520 | 740 |
| 64 | Clinical Laboratory Technologist | Healthcare | $50,240 | Des Moines | $50,240 | 700 |
Why These Roles Pay the Most in Iowa
Iowa's pay distribution reflects its mix of regional employers and industries, plus the local cost of living that affects nominal salary levels in the BLS data.
$Iowa tracks $1 BLS-published metros covering approximately $83,770 workers across the $64 occupations on this page. State-aggregated medians are employment-weighted across metros, which is the right way to read "state pay" when BLS publishes by metro. The Obstetrician/Gynecologist top spot reflects Des Moines pulling the upper end of the distribution; smaller metros in Iowa typically pay 10–25% less for the same role.
Metro-by-Metro Detail
For salary data specific to one metro within Iowa, see:
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest paying job in Iowa is Obstetrician/Gynecologist with a state median salary of $369,390. The top-paying metro for this role is Des Moines at $369,390 median. The role employs roughly 40 workers across Iowa.
27 of the 64 BLS-tracked occupations in Iowa have a state-aggregated median salary of $100,000 or higher. That places this state in the upper tier nationally for high-paying occupations.
Across 64 BLS-tracked occupations, the average median salary in Iowa is $106,494. The figure is employment-weighted across 1 metros, so larger occupations and larger metros contribute proportionally more. Cost-of-living-adjusted to a national-average baseline, it equates to $114,510.
BLS OEWS publishes wage data by Metropolitan Statistical Area. For Iowa, this page aggregates Des Moines. Some non-MSA areas (small towns, rural counties) are excluded from OEWS metro tables but covered in BLS state-level summaries; we use metro-level data to preserve the percentile granularity.
Every wage figure on this page is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program at bls.gov/oes — public domain federal survey data covering about 1.2 million U.S. employers. State aggregates are computed by employment-weighting metro-level percentile wages across the BLS-tracked metros in Iowa.
State aggregates are employment-weighted across the BLS-tracked metros in Iowa, using OEWS 2025 data.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2026.