SOC 21-1023 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers — Iowa
Iowa · 7 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Iowa is $48,530 a year, trailing the national median of $60,280 by 19.5%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Iowa is $48,530 a year, trailing the national median of $60,280 by 19.5%. Half of workers earn between $44,630 and $66,180. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $37,980 and the ninetieth at $80,760.
The area has 1,200 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.8 of every thousand jobs. Among the 51 states with published data for this occupation, Iowa ranks 38th by median wage. Waterloo leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $60,160. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 466th of 711 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,980 | −37.0% |
| 25th | $44,630 | −26.0% |
| Median (50th) | $48,530 | −19.5% |
| 75th | $66,180 | +9.8% |
| 90th | $80,760 | +34.0% |
| Mean | $57,330 | −4.9% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waterloo | $60,160 | 50 | |
| 2 | Davenport | $58,830 | 120 | |
| 3 | Iowa City | $55,350 | 60 | |
| 4 | Dubuque | $50,700 | 30 | |
| 5 | Des Moines | $49,750 | 290 | |
| 6 | Sioux City | $48,630 | 60 | |
| 7 | Cedar Rapids | $47,240 | 150 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Iowa run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $48,530 goes as far as $55,273 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 8.3% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$48,530as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$55,273US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $48,530 a year, 19.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $37,980 to $80,760 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,200 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 38th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Waterloo, at $60,160.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Iowa?
The median annual wage is $48,530, or $23.33 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $60,280, so pay in Iowa is 19.5% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Iowa earns more than $80,760 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $37,980 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Waterloo, at $60,160 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,200 jobs in this occupation in Iowa. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. 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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