Jobs that lost the most to inflation in Iowa

Every occupation here is paid more in dollars than it was in 2019 and less in what those dollars buy. Prices rose about 26% over the period; these wages did not keep up. Limited to occupations employing at least 50,000 people.

Cost of living: prices in Iowa run 12.2% below the national average (2024), so a Iowa salary is worth about 1.14× its face value in national terms. That scales every wage here by the same factor — it changes what the numbers mean, not their order. To see where a job pays a real premium, use jobs that pay more in Iowa.

Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Cost of living: BEA regional price parities, 2024

Find high paying jobs in Iowa

OccupationMedian, Iowa · Real change since 2019

1Farm and Home Management Educators$48,200
Master's degree
$43,010 – $82,020-35.4%-18.7% nominal
2Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other$40,620
Bachelor's degree
$26,880 – $60,980-29.7%-11.5% nominal
3Business Teachers, Postsecondary$83,200
Doctoral or professional degree
$49,750 – $207,890-27.5%-8.6% nominal
4Legal Support Workers, All Other$44,470
Associate's degree
$38,670 – $69,530-25.9%-6.6% nominal
5Agricultural Inspectors$49,600
Bachelor's degree
$45,590 – $78,890-24.2%-4.5% nominal
6Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School$57,660
Bachelor's degree
$43,650 – $75,930-23.8%-4.0% nominal
7Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary$78,060
Doctoral or professional degree
$59,130 – $167,300-22.5%-2.5% nominal
8Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers$63,700
Associate's degree
$34,540 – $94,950-21.3%-0.9% nominal
9Sales and Related Workers, All Other$35,250
High school diploma or equivalent
$27,480 – $58,720-20.7%-0.1% nominal
10Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators$60,530
No formal educational credential
$42,600 – $76,360-20.1%+0.7% nominal
11Education Administrators, Postsecondary$89,320
Master's degree
$59,960 – $174,270-20.0%+0.7% nominal
12Computer Programmers$79,180
Bachelor's degree
$54,060 – $128,520-19.9%+0.9% nominal
13Computer Network Architects$103,050
Bachelor's degree
$62,850 – $160,320-19.3%+1.7% nominal
14Natural Sciences Managers$109,760
Bachelor's degree
$74,320 – $200,580-19.2%+1.8% nominal
15Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs$61,340
High school diploma or equivalent
$45,320 – $78,780-18.2%+3.0% nominal
16Correctional Officers and Jailers$53,040
High school diploma or equivalent
$47,670 – $73,530-17.7%+3.7% nominal
17Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$60,780
Bachelor's degree
$46,840 – $81,570-16.9%+4.6% nominal
18Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$104,260
Master's degree
$77,350 – $154,000-16.2%+5.5% nominal
19Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$56,540
Master's degree
$43,470 – $77,110-15.9%+5.9% nominal
20Instructional Coordinators$74,970
Master's degree
$50,390 – $96,200-15.5%+6.4% nominal
21First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$76,010
Postsecondary nondegree award
$62,490 – $112,140-15.5%+6.4% nominal
22General and Operations Managers$87,690
Bachelor's degree
$42,850 – $191,990-15.5%+6.4% nominal
23Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary$62,270
Bachelor's degree
$45,080 – $96,210-15.1%+7.0% nominal
24Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$44,880
High school diploma or equivalent
$38,290 – $61,360-15.1%+7.0% nominal
25Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$57,980
High school diploma or equivalent
$39,510 – $106,640-14.2%+8.0% nominal
26Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals$36,480
No formal educational credential
$28,950 – $50,540-14.1%+8.2% nominal
27Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists$67,160
Bachelor's degree
$49,710 – $103,830-13.7%+8.7% nominal
28Tire Builders$50,600
High school diploma or equivalent
$38,650 – $63,820-13.7%+8.7% nominal
29Education Teachers, Postsecondary$62,090
Doctoral or professional degree
$29,850 – $130,120-13.7%+8.7% nominal
30Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$47,000
High school diploma or equivalent
$36,960 – $75,280-13.7%+8.6% nominal
31Speech-Language Pathologists$81,050
Master's degree
$63,270 – $106,460-13.6%+8.8% nominal
32Electricians$60,860
High school diploma or equivalent
$39,770 – $89,480-13.6%+8.8% nominal
33Waiters and Waitresses$21,000
No formal educational credential
$15,080 – $47,980-13.5%+9.0% nominal
34Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$60,440
Bachelor's degree
$47,490 – $77,260-13.2%+9.3% nominal
35Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists$77,390
Bachelor's degree
$57,410 – $94,810-13.2%+9.3% nominal
36Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$48,530
Master's degree
$37,980 – $80,760-13.1%+9.4% nominal
37First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$60,490
High school diploma or equivalent
$40,890 – $87,110-12.9%+9.7% nominal
38Special Education Teachers, Middle School$63,590
Bachelor's degree
$46,490 – $90,460-12.7%+9.9% nominal
39Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$61,200
Bachelor's degree
$47,480 – $79,270-12.6%+10.0% nominal
40Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$60,450
Bachelor's degree
$40,920 – $79,110-12.4%+10.3% nominal
41Chemists$86,100
Bachelor's degree
$65,270 – $137,560-12.2%+10.6% nominal
42Self-Enrichment Teachers$35,670
High school diploma or equivalent
$21,570 – $72,800-12.1%+10.6% nominal
43Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders$47,960
No formal educational credential
$36,480 – $63,340-11.7%+11.3% nominal
44Labor Relations Specialists$79,140
Bachelor's degree
$61,020 – $151,890-11.7%+11.2% nominal
45Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$63,890
High school diploma or equivalent
$45,510 – $97,500-11.5%+11.4% nominal
46Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians$74,840
Associate's degree
$47,020 – $107,660-11.4%+11.6% nominal
47Biological Technicians$48,050
Bachelor's degree
$39,310 – $72,510-11.3%+11.7% nominal
48Construction and Building Inspectors$71,630
High school diploma or equivalent
$47,470 – $90,380-11.3%+11.7% nominal
49Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education$58,420
Bachelor's degree
$47,020 – $75,860-11.3%+11.7% nominal
50Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$62,420
High school diploma or equivalent
$35,700 – $119,060-11.2%+11.8% nominal

Bars run from the 10th to the 90th percentile; the middle half is shaded darker, and the tick is the median.

#	Occupation	MedianIowa	10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker	Real change since 2019
1	Farm and Home Management EducatorsMaster's degree	$48,200	$43,010 – $82,020	-35.4%-18.7% nominal
2	Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All OtherBachelor's degree	$40,620	$26,880 – $60,980	-29.7%-11.5% nominal
3	Business Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$83,200	$49,750 – $207,890	-27.5%-8.6% nominal
4	Legal Support Workers, All OtherAssociate's degree	$44,470	$38,670 – $69,530	-25.9%-6.6% nominal
5	Agricultural InspectorsBachelor's degree	$49,600	$45,590 – $78,890	-24.2%-4.5% nominal
6	Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary SchoolBachelor's degree	$57,660	$43,650 – $75,930	-23.8%-4.0% nominal
7	Biological Science Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$78,060	$59,130 – $167,300	-22.5%-2.5% nominal
8	Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral ArrangersAssociate's degree	$63,700	$34,540 – $94,950	-21.3%-0.9% nominal
9	Sales and Related Workers, All OtherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$35,250	$27,480 – $58,720	-20.7%-0.1% nominal
10	Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine OperatorsNo formal educational credential	$60,530	$42,600 – $76,360	-20.1%+0.7% nominal
11	Education Administrators, PostsecondaryMaster's degree	$89,320	$59,960 – $174,270	-20.0%+0.7% nominal
12	Computer ProgrammersBachelor's degree	$79,180	$54,060 – $128,520	-19.9%+0.9% nominal
13	Computer Network ArchitectsBachelor's degree	$103,050	$62,850 – $160,320	-19.3%+1.7% nominal
14	Natural Sciences ManagersBachelor's degree	$109,760	$74,320 – $200,580	-19.2%+1.8% nominal
15	Eligibility Interviewers, Government ProgramsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$61,340	$45,320 – $78,780	-18.2%+3.0% nominal
16	Correctional Officers and JailersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$53,040	$47,670 – $73,530	-17.7%+3.7% nominal
17	Special Education Teachers, Secondary SchoolBachelor's degree	$60,780	$46,840 – $81,570	-16.9%+4.6% nominal
18	Education Administrators, Kindergarten through SecondaryMaster's degree	$104,260	$77,350 – $154,000	-16.2%+5.5% nominal
19	Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and AdvisorsMaster's degree	$56,540	$43,470 – $77,110	-15.9%+5.9% nominal
20	Instructional CoordinatorsMaster's degree	$74,970	$50,390 – $96,200	-15.5%+6.4% nominal
21	First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention WorkersPostsecondary nondegree award	$76,010	$62,490 – $112,140	-15.5%+6.4% nominal
22	General and Operations ManagersBachelor's degree	$87,690	$42,850 – $191,990	-15.5%+6.4% nominal
23	Career/Technical Education Teachers, PostsecondaryBachelor's degree	$62,270	$45,080 – $96,210	-15.1%+7.0% nominal
24	Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and FinishersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$44,880	$38,290 – $61,360	-15.1%+7.0% nominal
25	Property, Real Estate, and Community Association ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$57,980	$39,510 – $106,640	-14.2%+8.0% nominal
26	Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural AnimalsNo formal educational credential	$36,480	$28,950 – $50,540	-14.1%+8.2% nominal
27	Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis SpecialistsBachelor's degree	$67,160	$49,710 – $103,830	-13.7%+8.7% nominal
28	Tire BuildersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$50,600	$38,650 – $63,820	-13.7%+8.7% nominal
29	Education Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$62,090	$29,850 – $130,120	-13.7%+8.7% nominal
30	Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and AmbulanceHigh school diploma or equivalent	$47,000	$36,960 – $75,280	-13.7%+8.6% nominal
31	Speech-Language PathologistsMaster's degree	$81,050	$63,270 – $106,460	-13.6%+8.8% nominal
32	ElectriciansHigh school diploma or equivalent	$60,860	$39,770 – $89,480	-13.6%+8.8% nominal
33	Waiters and WaitressesNo formal educational credential	$21,000	$15,080 – $47,980	-13.5%+9.0% nominal
34	Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary SchoolBachelor's degree	$60,440	$47,490 – $77,260	-13.2%+9.3% nominal
35	Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment SpecialistsBachelor's degree	$77,390	$57,410 – $94,810	-13.2%+9.3% nominal
36	Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social WorkersMaster's degree	$48,530	$37,980 – $80,760	-13.1%+9.4% nominal
37	First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling SupervisorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$60,490	$40,890 – $87,110	-12.9%+9.7% nominal
38	Special Education Teachers, Middle SchoolBachelor's degree	$63,590	$46,490 – $90,460	-12.7%+9.9% nominal
39	Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical EducationBachelor's degree	$61,200	$47,480 – $79,270	-12.6%+10.0% nominal
40	Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical EducationBachelor's degree	$60,450	$40,920 – $79,110	-12.4%+10.3% nominal
41	ChemistsBachelor's degree	$86,100	$65,270 – $137,560	-12.2%+10.6% nominal
42	Self-Enrichment TeachersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$35,670	$21,570 – $72,800	-12.1%+10.6% nominal
43	Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and TendersNo formal educational credential	$47,960	$36,480 – $63,340	-11.7%+11.3% nominal
44	Labor Relations SpecialistsBachelor's degree	$79,140	$61,020 – $151,890	-11.7%+11.2% nominal
45	Plumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$63,890	$45,510 – $97,500	-11.5%+11.4% nominal
46	Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree	$74,840	$47,020 – $107,660	-11.4%+11.6% nominal
47	Biological TechniciansBachelor's degree	$48,050	$39,310 – $72,510	-11.3%+11.7% nominal
48	Construction and Building InspectorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$71,630	$47,470 – $90,380	-11.3%+11.7% nominal
49	Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special EducationBachelor's degree	$58,420	$47,020 – $75,860	-11.3%+11.7% nominal
50	Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and TravelHigh school diploma or equivalent	$62,420	$35,700 – $119,060	-11.2%+11.8% nominal

More for Iowa

Metro areas in Iowa

Pay varies more between metros than between states — the spread inside one state is often wider than the gap between two.

By field in Iowa

Without a degree

The same fields, narrowed to what you can enter without one. Fields missing here have too few such occupations in Iowa to rank honestly.

Jobs that lost the most to inflation in Iowa

More for Iowa

Metro areas in Iowa

By field in Iowa

Without a degree

Jobs that lost the most to inflation in each state