Chief Executive salary in Iowa
Chief Executives in Iowa earn a median of $211,190 a year ($101.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,050 workers.
Pay ranges from $86,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $365,320 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $213,990. Iowa ranks 20th of 46 states for chief executives pay. There are 2.0 chief executives per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $237,270, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chief executives in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $86,090 | $41.39 |
| 25th percentile | $136,440 | $65.60 |
| Median | $211,190 | $101.54 |
| 75th percentile | $331,660 | $159.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $365,320 | $175.64 |
| Average (mean) | $237,270 | $114.07 |
Half of chief executives earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $17,599.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $8,799.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $8,122.69 |
| Weekly | $4,061.35 |
| Hourly | $101.54 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chief Executive salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $290,870 | 1,230 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $228,220 | 1,330 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $220,590 | 130 |
| Dubuque, IA | $212,880 | 100 |
| Ames, IA | $206,090 | 110 |
| Iowa City, IA | $205,340 | 110 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $205,030 | 200 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $199,010 | 110 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $182,210 | 290 |
Highest-paying states for chief executives
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $341,630 |
| Washington | $339,810 |
| Illinois | $331,920 |
| North Carolina | $314,290 |
| Virginia | $310,740 |
| New Jersey | $310,440 |
| Connecticut | $295,120 |
| Hawaii | $281,640 |
| South Dakota | $280,900 |
| New York | $257,980 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Managers | $87,690 | $42.16 |
| Financial Manager | $133,320 | $64.10 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $101,940 | $49.01 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $143,780 | $69.13 |
| Industrial Production Manager | $106,510 | $51.21 |
| Managers, All Other | $128,080 | $61.58 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $104,260 | — |
| Sales Manager | $134,010 | $64.43 |
| Construction Manager | $99,280 | $47.73 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $65,940 | $31.70 |
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary | $89,320 | $42.94 |
| Facilities Manager | $99,010 | $47.60 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $57,980 | $27.88 |
| Marketing Manager | $131,120 | $63.04 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 11-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chief executive make in Iowa?
The median salary for chief executives in Iowa is $211,190 a year, or $101.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $86,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $365,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chief executives make in Iowa?
The top 10% of chief executives in Iowa earn at least $365,320 a year. The top 25% earn $331,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for chief executives in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $86,090 a year, and a quarter of chief executives earn $136,440 or less.
How many chief executives work in Iowa?
About 3,050 chief executives are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.