SOC 21-1029 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Social Workers, All Other — Iowa City
Iowa City, IA · 2 metro areas compared
At $90,900 a year, the median wage for Social Workers, All Other in Iowa City, IA sits 26.4% above the national figure of $71,900.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $90,900 a year, the median wage for Social Workers, All Other in Iowa City, IA sits 26.4% above the national figure of $71,900. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $85,550 and $105,750. The lowest tenth earn under $68,490, while the highest tenth earn more than $115,360.
The area has 50 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.29 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Des Moines records the highest median at $94,930. Of the 296 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 53rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $68,490 | −4.7% |
| 25th | $85,550 | +19.0% |
| Median (50th) | $90,900 | +26.4% |
| 75th | $105,750 | +47.1% |
| 90th | $115,360 | +60.4% |
| Mean | $92,860 | +29.2% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Des Moines | $94,930 | 90 | |
| 2 | Davenport | $81,000 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Iowa City run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $90,900 goes as far as $103,531 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 44.0% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$90,900as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$103,531US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $90,900 a year, 26.4% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $68,490 to $115,360 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 50 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Des Moines, at $94,930.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Social Workers, All Other in Iowa City, IA?
The median annual wage is $90,900, or $43.70 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 $71,900, so pay in Iowa City, IA is 26.4% higher. 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 City, IA earns more than $115,360 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $68,490 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 Des Moines, at $94,930 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 50 jobs in this occupation in Iowa City, 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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