verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Optometrist Salary in Iowa

Median Annual in Iowa
$125,380/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$60.28/hr
▼ 8% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Iowa

groups Employed in IA
450
public U.S. Median
$136,570
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$142,864 #27 of 51

Optometrist pay in Iowa, explained

Optometrists in Iowa earn a median of $125,380 per year ($60.28 per hour), which is 8% below the national median of $136,570. Entry-level workers earn around $73,660, while the most experienced optometrists reach about $175,460. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Iowa.

Is $125,380 good pay in Iowa?

Adjusted for Iowa's cost of living (which runs 88% of the U.S. average), that $125,380 is worth about $142,864 in national buying power — ranking Iowa #27 for real pay (vs #39 on the sticker number).

See the full Optometrist Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Optometrist pay by experience in Iowa

Entry level (10th pct)
$73,660
$35.41/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$125,380
$60.28/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$175,460
$84.36/hr

Optometrist pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs IA
Iowa (here) $125,380 $142,864
Minnesota $158,700 $160,919 −$33,320
Illinois $145,620 $145,681 −$20,240
Wisconsin $139,720 $148,488 −$14,340
Missouri $133,810 $147,340 −$8,430
Nebraska $125,040 $138,775 +$340
South Dakota $102,320 $115,504 +$23,060

Optometrist in Iowa: FAQ

How much do optometrists make in Iowa?

Optometrists in Iowa earn a median of $125,380 per year ($60.28 per hour), compared with $136,570 nationally.

Does Iowa pay optometrists well?

At $125,380, Iowa pays 8% below the national median for optometrists. An estimated 450 work in the state.

Optometrist salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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