School Psychologist salary in Iowa
School Psychologists in Iowa earn a median of $74,410 a year ($35.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 400 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,720 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $95,990. Iowa ranks 41st of 51 states for school psychologists pay. There are 0.26 school psychologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.62). The average (mean) salary is $72,460, close to the median.
Pay range for school psychologists in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,130 | $21.70 |
| 25th percentile | $52,970 | $25.47 |
| Median | $74,410 | $35.77 |
| 75th percentile | $85,460 | $41.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,720 | $47.94 |
| Average (mean) | $72,460 | $34.84 |
Half of school psychologists 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 | $6,200.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,100.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,861.92 |
| Weekly | $1,430.96 |
| Hourly | $35.77 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
School Psychologist salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $89,900 | 210 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $81,840 | 60 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $76,320 | 100 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $49,100 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for school psychologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $127,780 |
| Colorado | $124,770 |
| New Mexico | $110,360 |
| Maryland | $109,700 |
| Washington | $108,780 |
| District of Columbia | $107,500 |
| New York | $106,550 |
| Oregon | $106,070 |
| Connecticut | $100,600 |
| Georgia | $99,110 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $91,690 | $44.08 |
| 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 |
| Economist | $96,310 | $46.30 |
| 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 19-3034. 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 school psychologist make in Iowa?
The median salary for school psychologists in Iowa is $74,410 a year, or $35.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid school psychologists make in Iowa?
The top 10% of school psychologists in Iowa earn at least $99,720 a year. The top 25% earn $85,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for school psychologists in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,130 a year, and a quarter of school psychologists earn $52,970 or less.
How many school psychologists work in Iowa?
About 400 school psychologists are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.