Career Atlas USA

Careers in Iowa City, IA

Part of Iowa.

Iowa City, IA’s regional price level is below the national average (index 91.509, where 100 = U.S. average, 2024 BEA data).

Unemployment rate: 2.7% · 99,726 people employed (2026-06, BLS LAUS, not seasonally adjusted).

Highest-Paying Careers

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  1. 1Anesthesiologists$407,230
  2. 2Physicians, All Other$257,340
  3. 3Family Medicine Physicians$208,900
  4. 4Chief Executives$205,340
  5. 5Dentists, General$199,410

Largest Occupations

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  1. 1Registered Nurses4,090 employed
  2. 2Fast Food and Counter Workers2,890 employed
  3. 3Retail Salespersons2,710 employed
  4. 4Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers2,360 employed
  5. 5Cashiers2,090 employed

Highest Concentration

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  1. 1Biological Technicians12.30× national avg
  2. 2Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other9.88× national avg
  3. 3Agricultural Technicians7.46× national avg
  4. 4Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other6.84× national avg
  5. 5Orthotists and Prosthetists6.53× national avg

Best Purchasing Power

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cost-of-living adjusted

  1. 1Anesthesiologists$445,016
  2. 2Physicians, All Other$281,218
  3. 3Family Medicine Physicians$228,284
  4. 4Chief Executives$224,393
  5. 5Dentists, General$217,913

Sources

Wage and employment data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities. Unemployment rate: BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS). Opportunity Score isn’t available at the metro level yet — see Iowa state page.