Data vintage · May 2025 · Ranked by median annual wage
Lowest-paying jobs in Iowa
711 occupations with published wages, ranked
The lowest published median wage in Iowa belongs to Waiters and Waitresses, at $21,000 per year. The highest is $429,050.
The 10 lowest-paying occupations
| # | Occupation | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waiters and Waitresses | $21,000 | 22,410 | |
| 2 | Bartenders | $21,720 | 9,560 | |
| 3 | Tour and Travel Guides | $22,490 | 330 | |
| 4 | Gambling Dealers | $23,020 | 970 | |
| 5 | Motion Picture Projectionists | $23,210 | 100 | |
| 6 | Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants | $23,720 | 280 | |
| 7 | Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $25,460 | 1,410 | |
| 8 | Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $25,720 | 750 | |
| 9 | Cooks, All Other | $26,060 | 210 | |
| 10 | Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $27,430 | 5,050 |
At the other end of the scale
| Occupation | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Medicine Physicians | $429,050 | 290 |
| Dermatologists | $424,970 | — |
| Radiologists | $405,220 | 130 |
| Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric | $394,900 | 90 |
| Surgeons, All Other | $370,390 | 110 |
| Obstetricians and Gynecologists | $356,020 | 180 |
| Physicians, Pathologists | $323,460 | 80 |
| Psychiatrists | $295,270 | 170 |
| Physicians, All Other | $295,190 | 1,440 |
| Cardiologists | $283,070 | 100 |
| Nurse Anesthetists | $273,070 | 380 |
| Family Medicine Physicians | $265,200 | 1,140 |
| Pediatricians, General | $262,440 | 230 |
| Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons | $239,200 | — |
| Anesthesiologists | $239,200 | 450 |
| Chief Executives | $211,190 | 3,050 |
| Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric | $189,410 | 260 |
| Dentists, General | $181,520 | 1,240 |
| Physicists | $178,110 | 110 |
| Law Teachers, Postsecondary | $160,700 | 90 |
| Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $147,510 | 410 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $147,320 | 1,520 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $143,780 | 3,920 |
| Pharmacists | $138,860 | 3,230 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $138,420 | 60 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Rankings cover only occupations for which a median wage was published; occupations the survey suppressed do not appear. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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