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

Social Worker Salary in Iowa

Median Annual in Iowa
$52,250/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$25.12/hr
▼ 12% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Iowa

groups Employed in IA
3,410
public U.S. Median
$59,550
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$59,536 #32 of 51

Social Worker pay in Iowa, explained

Social workers in Iowa earn a median of $52,250 per year ($25.12 per hour), which is 12% below the national median of $59,550. Entry-level workers earn around $39,240, while the most experienced social workers reach about $81,170. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Iowa.

Is $52,250 good pay in Iowa?

Adjusted for Iowa's cost of living (which runs 88% of the U.S. average), that $52,250 is worth about $59,536 in national buying power — ranking Iowa #32 for real pay (vs #35 on the sticker number).

See the full Social Worker Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Social Worker pay by experience in Iowa

Entry level (10th pct)
$39,240
$18.87/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$52,250
$25.12/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$81,170
$39.02/hr

Social Worker pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs IA
Iowa (here) $52,250 $59,536
Minnesota $67,450 $68,393 −$15,200
Illinois $63,220 $63,247 −$10,970
Wisconsin $59,280 $63,000 −$7,030
South Dakota $51,100 $57,684 +$1,150
Missouri $48,520 $53,426 +$3,730
Nebraska $47,770 $53,017 +$4,480

Social Worker in Iowa: FAQ

How much do social workers make in Iowa?

Social workers in Iowa earn a median of $52,250 per year ($25.12 per hour), compared with $59,550 nationally.

Does Iowa pay social workers well?

At $52,250, Iowa pays 12% below the national median for social workers. An estimated 3,410 work in the state.

Social Worker salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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