Economist salary in Iowa
Economists in Iowa earn a median of $96,310 a year ($46.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $144,750 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $124,720. Iowa ranks 27th of 40 states for economists pay. There are 0.04 economists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.40). The average (mean) salary is $102,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for economists in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,980 | $28.84 |
| 25th percentile | $64,210 | $30.87 |
| Median | $96,310 | $46.30 |
| 75th percentile | $133,970 | $64.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $144,750 | $69.59 |
| Average (mean) | $102,020 | $49.05 |
Half of economists 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 | $8,025.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,012.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,704.23 |
| Weekly | $1,852.12 |
| Hourly | $46.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Economist salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $96,310 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for economists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $167,590 |
| New Jersey | $167,550 |
| Delaware | $159,120 |
| Maryland | $144,680 |
| Kansas | $138,790 |
| Virginia | $137,590 |
| New York | $136,660 |
| North Carolina | $136,150 |
| Idaho | $131,270 |
| Alabama | $129,960 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $91,690 | $44.08 |
| School Psychologist | $74,410 | $35.77 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $79,100 | $38.03 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $91,560 | $44.02 |
| Survey Researcher | $83,170 | $39.99 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $138,420 | $66.55 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $67,270 | $32.34 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $87,830 | $42.23 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $83,850 | $40.31 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $96,310 | $46.30 |
| Biological Technician | $48,050 | $23.10 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $78,780 | $37.88 |
| Conservation Scientist | $69,240 | $33.29 |
| Chemist | $86,100 | $41.39 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-3011. 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 economist make in Iowa?
The median salary for economists in Iowa is $96,310 a year, or $46.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $144,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid economists make in Iowa?
The top 10% of economists in Iowa earn at least $144,750 a year. The top 25% earn $133,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for economists in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,980 a year, and a quarter of economists earn $64,210 or less.
How many economists work in Iowa?
About 70 economists are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.