SOC 41-2031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Retail Salespersons — Northeast Iowa
Northeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area · 8 metro areas compared
In Northeast Iowa, IA the median wage is $30,020.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Northeast Iowa, IA the median wage is $30,020. That is 15.2% lower than the national median of $35,410. Pay ranges from under $23,830 at the tenth percentile to more than $44,170 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $27,870 to $35,420.
The area has 2,500 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.00 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Cedar Rapids records the highest median at $33,430. Of the 331 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 314th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,830 | −32.7% |
| 25th | $27,870 | −21.3% |
| Median (50th) | $30,020 | −15.2% |
| 75th | $35,420 | +0.0% |
| 90th | $44,170 | +24.7% |
| Mean | $33,440 | −5.6% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cedar Rapids | $33,430 | 3,410 | |
| 2 | Des Moines | $33,430 | 11,000 | |
| 3 | Ames | $32,460 | 1,460 | |
| 4 | Davenport | $32,030 | 4,760 | |
| 5 | Waterloo | $31,270 | 2,460 | |
| 6 | Dubuque | $30,960 | 1,810 | |
| 7 | Sioux City | $30,150 | 2,220 | |
| 8 | Iowa City | $29,940 | 2,710 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northeast Iowa run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $30,020 goes as far as $34,191 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 3.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$30,020as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$34,191US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $30,020 a year, 15.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $23,830 to $44,170 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,500 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Cedar Rapids, at $33,430.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Retail Salespersons in Northeast Iowa, IA?
The median annual wage is $30,020, or $14.44 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 $35,410, so pay in Northeast Iowa, IA is 15.2% 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 Northeast Iowa, IA earns more than $44,170 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $23,830 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 Cedar Rapids, at $33,430 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,500 jobs in this occupation in Northeast Iowa, IA. 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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