City Town Info

Dubuque Employment

Employment and Industries in the Dubuque, Iowa Area

For a long time manufacturing was the base of Dubuque's economy. Manufacturing is still a major economic factor, however the economy has diversified and is substantially bolstered by other sectors such as healthcare, tourism, education, financial services and publishing.

The major job providing sectors in Dubuque, Iowa are healthcare, education, accommodation and food services, machinery, metal and metal products, finance and insurance, and social assistance. About 28% of the labor force is employed in management, professional and related jobs. About 26% of the jobs in Dubuque are provided by sales and office occupations.

Some of the popular occupations in Dubuque that are primarily filled by those with college degrees are registered nurses, teachers, wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives, child, family and school social workers; social and human service assistants, coaches and scouts, pharmacists, graphic designers and financial managers.

Dubuque's major non-government employers include:

  • Deere and Company
  • Mercy Medical Center - Dubuque
  • Eagle Window & Door Co
  • Medical Associates
  • Finley Hospital
  • Flexsteel Industries
  • Hy-Vee
  • Walmart
  • Woodward Communications
  • Prudential Financial
  • Barnstead/Thermolyn
  • McKesson Corp
  • Quebecor World
  • Diamond Jo Casino
  • The McGraw-Hill Companies
  • A.Y. McDonald Mfg
  • ThermoFisher
  • Nordstrom
  • Swiss Valley
  • Alliant Energy
  • Cottingham & Butler
  • The Metrix Company

Pertinent data about Dubuque Iowa: In 2008 the cost of living index in Dubuque was at 78.9 which is lower than the country's average of 100. The estimated median household income in 2007 was $43,000. Regarding the adult residents in Dubuque, about 23% have achieved a bachelor's degree or better.

Dubuque businesses have opportunities to collaborate with helpful organizations such as:

The Dubuque Telegraph Herald is an excellent resource for people that want to stay current with local business and industry news.

Most Popular Jobs in Dubuque, Iowa Metro Area (2008 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Registered nurses1,15049,500$37,220 - 63,92024%56%
2Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education73042,520$28,530 - 60,5606%96%
3Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products70065,330$27,800 - 127,2408%51%
4Elementary school teachers, except special education49036,790$24,240 - 53,13014%95%
5Accountants and auditors28057,050$30,750 - 89,03018%79%
6Teachers and instructors, all other22028,170$24,020 - 31,8209%54%
7Child, family, and school social workers18035,970$18,520 - 61,56019%77%
8Social and human service assistants15023,120$15,640 - 30,54034%58%
9Coaches and scouts13029,140$17,880 - 45,63015%60%
10Pharmacists12089,110$74,690 - 106,45022%97%
11Graphic designers12036,880$26,450 - 54,87010%55%
12Financial managers110102,770$49,040 - 13%60%
13Managers, all other11057,480$26,100 - 108,9407%55%
14Sales managers11070,780$42,060 - 123,76010%69%
15Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents100 $ - 25%67%
16Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other10037,420$15,310 - 67,00017%56%
17Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school10036,690$27,540 - 52,42020%87%
18Medical and health services managers10062,910$40,880 - 83,51016%57%
19Mechanical engineers10053,630$36,440 - 73,3304%78%
20Computer programmers9048,730$31,260 - 71,0700%73%
21Chief executives90162,450$71,850 - 2%65%
22Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation8041,650$29,660 - 59,6905%58%
23Education administrators, elementary and secondary school8072,830$31,710 - 101,6408%78%
24Advertising sales agents8042,840$19,080 - 75,43020%56%
25Education administrators, postsecondary8070,890$45,730 - 104,29014%78%
26Lawyers70101,950$36,830 - 11%99%
27Educational, vocational, and school counselors7042,120$28,090 - 55,58013%73%
28Social and community service managers6051,750$29,450 - 77,38025%72%
29Network and computer systems administrators6051,530$33,520 - 72,18027%50%
30Market research analysts6044,710$28,290 - 62,46020%82%
31Physical therapists6068,870$56,870 - 81,94027%89%
32Marketing managers6084,370$44,810 - 137,88014%69%
33Computer systems analysts6050,620$28,160 - 81,86029%68%
34Librarians5056,740$39,750 - 75,7904%85%
35Industrial engineers5061,030$44,150 - 79,61020%74%
36Dentists, general50170,260$115,400 - 9%100%
37Clergy4038,190$19,650 - 60,83019%75%
38Dietitians and nutritionists4043,810$33,600 - 53,2509%72%
39Technical writers4045,620$33,690 - 61,61020%74%
40Computer software engineers, applications4061,640$37,480 - 84,01045%85%
41Meeting and convention planners4038,820$26,570 - 58,93020%67%
42Training and development specialists4038,430$25,670 - 51,96018%56%
43Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products4055,740$23,900 - 97,29012%51%
44Medical and public health social workers4040,840$34,090 - 50,30024%77%
45Sales and related workers, all other4038,330$23,650 - 58,94014%62%
46Architects, except landscape and naval3042,600$34,180 - 50,73018%88%
47Community and social service specialists, all other3028,020$21,920 - 36,09025%58%
48Veterinarians3073,300$48,870 - 103,28035%100%
49Computer and information systems managers3075,030$49,180 - 104,22016%73%
50Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists3052,770$35,520 - 79,55018%56%
51Medical and clinical laboratory technologists3046,630$41,120 - 54,01012%51%
52Public relations specialists3050,890$31,760 - 65,82018%81%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Retail salespersons2,13023,810$15,320 - 42,61012%25%
2Team assemblers1,79029,020$22,120 - 37,2100%5%
3Cashiers1,53017,170$15,260 - 20,350-2%10%
4Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food1,29017,110$15,250 - 20,35018%5%
5Customer service representatives1,26029,680$17,860 - 42,04025%22%
6Office clerks, general1,04024,250$16,020 - 34,46013%19%
7Waiters and waitresses96018,330$15,230 - 25,62011%14%
8Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive94024,710$16,990 - 32,9601%18%
9Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer93036,270$27,350 - 49,12010%4%
10Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand88026,240$17,720 - 36,5502%5%
11Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants75023,740$18,980 - 29,73018%7%
12Stock clerks and order fillers74021,200$15,600 - 29,930-7%8%
13Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners73023,130$15,940 - 31,94015%4%
14Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks67027,580$16,020 - 40,36013%16%
15Teacher assistants66021,860$17,540 - 25,48010%18%
16First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers54032,000$19,260 - 50,2204%25%
17Maintenance and repair workers, general49032,360$19,240 - 47,52010%6%
18Receptionists and information clerks47021,820$15,720 - 28,89017%13%
19Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks41028,070$21,280 - 36,1504%6%
20Food preparation workers40018,850$15,360 - 24,45015%7%
21Maids and housekeeping cleaners40018,780$15,660 - 23,87013%5%
22Cooks, restaurant40020,800$16,250 - 26,55012%5%
23Truck drivers, light or delivery services40027,290$16,790 - 37,8708%4%
24Industrial truck and tractor operators38026,070$20,430 - 32,750-1%2%
25Carpenters37034,470$22,710 - 45,53010%6%
26First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers34042,960$27,120 - 62,5306%29%
27Tellers33022,250$17,640 - 27,70014%16%
28Bartenders33019,710$15,610 - 26,51011%17%
29Child care workers33017,360$15,280 - 20,90018%15%
30Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop31016,900$15,280 - 19,70010%8%
31Construction laborers30032,760$22,040 - 40,51011%5%
32Home health aides30020,400$16,910 - 25,78049%7%
33First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers29048,310$33,020 - 65,590-4%15%
34General and operations managers29088,870$40,600 - 151,6002%48%
35Data entry keyers28026,230$19,610 - 32,930-4%18%
36First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers28028,690$18,960 - 40,59011%14%
37Executive secretaries and administrative assistants27032,910$22,980 - 46,69015%18%
38Machinists27034,420$26,750 - 40,870-2%3%
39Sales representatives, services, all other26042,670$23,560 - 77,05028%48%
40Packers and packagers, hand26020,860$15,370 - 30,420-11%3%
41Automotive service technicians and mechanics25032,040$20,470 - 48,48014%4%
42Landscaping and groundskeeping workers24022,730$15,670 - 34,41018%6%
43Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses24036,530$28,370 - 42,92014%7%
44Security guards22027,670$16,210 - 43,96017%13%
45Cooks, institution and cafeteria21022,640$17,730 - 26,29011%5%
46Driver/sales workers21020,440$15,270 - 32,010-4%4%
47Cement masons and concrete finishers20029,590$19,810 - 40,33011%2%
48Pharmacy technicians20027,280$19,790 - 34,62032%16%
49Business operations specialists, all other18048,660$23,810 - 88,31021%49%
50Printing machine operators18034,710$20,680 - 48,750-5%6%
51Insurance sales agents18045,210$25,810 - 77,23013%45%
52Sewing machine operators18025,840$19,340 - 31,200-26%5%
53Assemblers and fabricators, all other18030,430$25,360 - 38,300-8%5%
54Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers18034,600$26,070 - 47,0705%2%
55Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists17037,760$26,300 - 49,96012%3%
56Dishwashers16016,950$15,250 - 20,27010%3%
57Cleaners of vehicles and equipment16020,320$15,410 - 30,10014%3%
58Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop16017,040$15,190 - 20,76010%17%
59Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers16017,390$15,300 - 20,37012%6%
60Billing and posting clerks and machine operators16024,060$15,690 - 32,6004%15%
61Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists16022,040$15,470 - 36,14012%6%
62First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers16061,280$31,900 - 98,3604%38%
63Dental assistants15031,060$23,700 - 38,96029%9%
64Helpers--production workers15026,270$21,750 - 31,3300%4%
65Loan officers15057,930$40,490 - 79,21012%49%
66Industrial machinery mechanics15039,740$30,840 - 49,8809%5%
67Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators15046,220$35,250 - 57,7608%3%
68Production workers, all other15025,720$17,070 - 33,8102%5%
69Radiologic technologists and technicians14046,900$33,130 - 62,97015%25%
70Production, planning, and expediting clerks14036,570$26,130 - 51,7704%30%
71Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders14031,120$23,240 - 39,200-17%0%
72Cooks, fast food14016,770$15,210 - 20,4208%5%
73Parts salespersons14030,690$16,300 - 46,820-1%6%
74Laundry and dry-cleaning workers13019,330$16,300 - 23,96010%5%
75Preschool teachers, except special education13020,930$15,370 - 30,77026%43%
76Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks13018,300$16,060 - 20,87017%14%
77First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers13049,410$34,010 - 70,3009%10%
78Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic13028,150$25,000 - 31,700-14%0%
79Recreation workers13024,390$15,620 - 34,04013%47%
80Postal service mail carriers130 1%11%
81Medical assistants12028,830$21,340 - 39,13035%10%
82First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators12044,560$31,660 - 62,19010%17%
83Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers12037,870$28,580 - 51,8809%3%
84Police and sheriff's patrol officers12046,770$41,090 - 53,55011%33%
85Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers12017,290$15,270 - 20,10019%31%
86Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers12037,030$24,580 - 50,550-6%14%
87Structural metal fabricators and fitters12028,270$25,340 - 31,9500%0%
88Electricians11043,690$32,990 - 58,3807%7%
89Cost estimators11044,450$32,930 - 60,38019%32%
90Dental hygienists11055,200$46,080 - 64,52030%33%
91Computer support specialists11038,910$29,670 - 51,44013%43%
92Medical secretaries11029,450$21,370 - 39,30017%18%
93Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic10028,030$21,530 - 38,6800%3%
94Taxi drivers and chauffeurs10025,980$15,270 - 48,05013%15%
95Loan interviewers and clerks10031,390$22,990 - 38,9800%24%
96First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers10051,280$34,450 - 68,1207%13%
97Nonfarm animal caretakers9018,550$15,520 - 25,93018%16%
98Counter and rental clerks9019,920$15,240 - 27,91023%16%
99Food servers, nonrestaurant9018,570$15,510 - 24,38016%9%
100Prepress technicians and workers9033,230$21,210 - 47,470-20%16%
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Jobs More Common Near Dubuque Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Team assemblers29,0201,7905.3
Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders31,1201405.2
Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic28,0301004.3
Sewing machine operators25,8401804.1
Structural metal fabricators and fitters28,2701203.6
Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers17,2901203.5
Cement masons and concrete finishers29,5902003
Data entry keyers26,2302802.9
Printing machine operators34,7101802.8
Coaches and scouts29,1401302.4
Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education42,5207302.3
Assemblers and fabricators, all other30,4301802.1
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists37,7601702.1
Machinists34,4202702.1
Child, family, and school social workers35,9701802.1
Production workers, all other25,7201502
Radiologic technologists and technicians46,9001402
Bartenders19,7103302
Parts salespersons30,6901401.9
Cooks, institution and cafeteria22,6402101.9
Industrial truck and tractor operators26,0703801.9
Dental hygienists55,2001101.8
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks18,3001301.8
Pharmacy technicians27,2802001.8
Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic28,1501301.8
Laundry and dry-cleaning workers19,3301301.8
Industrial machinery mechanics39,7401501.8
Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer36,2709301.8
Taxi drivers and chauffeurs25,9801001.8
Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop16,9003101.7
Tellers22,2503301.7
Driver/sales workers20,4402101.7
Child care workers17,3603301.7
First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators44,5601201.7
Teacher assistants21,8606601.7
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants23,7407501.6
Graphic designers36,8801201.6
First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers61,2801601.6
Insurance sales agents45,2101801.6
Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers34,6001801.6
Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks28,0704101.6
Customer service representatives29,6801,2601.6
Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive24,7109401.5
Dental assistants31,0601501.5
Production, planning, and expediting clerks36,5701401.5
Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school36,6901001.5
Cleaners of vehicles and equipment20,3201601.4
Social and human service assistants23,1201501.4
Recreation workers24,3901301.4
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food17,1101,2901.4

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Dubuque, Iowa Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products65,3301.16700
Sewing machine operators25,8401.15180
Assemblers and fabricators, all other30,4301.15180
Helpers--production workers26,2701.11150
Financial managers102,7701.11110
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers37,0301.11120
Security guards27,6701.1220
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand26,2401.09880
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators46,2201.08150
Team assemblers29,0201.061,790
Printing machine operators34,7101.06180
Construction laborers32,7601.05300
Medical assistants28,8301.03120
Packers and packagers, hand20,8601.02260
Bartenders19,7101.02330
Medical secretaries29,4501.01110
Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners23,1301.01730
Recreation workers24,3901.01130
Data entry keyers26,2301.01280
Parts salespersons30,6901.01140
Customer service representatives29,68011,260
Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers17,3901160
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food17,1100.991,290
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants23,7400.99750
Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks28,0700.98410
Dishwashers16,9500.98160
Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers34,6000.98180
Teacher assistants21,8600.98660
Maids and housekeeping cleaners18,7800.98400
Food preparation workers18,8500.98400
Waiters and waitresses18,3300.98960
Loan officers57,9300.98150
Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders31,1200.98140
Retail salespersons23,8100.982,130
Laundry and dry-cleaning workers19,3300.97130
Pharmacy technicians27,2800.97200
Cleaners of vehicles and equipment20,3200.97160
Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic28,1500.97130
Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer36,2700.97930
Police and sheriff's patrol officers46,7700.96120
Cooks, fast food16,7700.96140
Dental assistants31,0600.96150
Home health aides20,4000.96300
Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop17,0400.96160
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists37,7600.96170
Cooks, institution and cafeteria22,6400.96210
Cooks, restaurant20,8000.96400
Accountants and auditors57,0500.95280
Office clerks, general24,2500.951,040
First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers42,9600.95340

Highest Paying Jobs in Dubuque, Iowa Metro Area (2008 data)

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
Physicians and surgeons, all other213,390 
Dentists, general170,26050
Chief executives162,45090
Financial managers102,770110
Lawyers101,95070
Pharmacists89,110120
General and operations managers88,870290
Industrial production managers87,40040
Property, real estate, and community association managers86,90050
Marketing managers84,37060
Computer and information systems managers75,03030
Veterinarians73,30030
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school72,83080
Education administrators, postsecondary70,89080
Sales managers70,780110
Physical therapists68,87060
Computer software engineers, systems software68,390 
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products65,330700
Administrative services managers64,40060
Wholesale and retail buyers, except farm products63,97040
Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators63,960 
Medical and health services managers62,910100
Computer software engineers, applications61,64040
First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers61,280160
Industrial engineers61,03050
Loan officers57,930150
Managers, all other57,480110
Accountants and auditors57,050280
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary56,810 
Librarians56,74050
English language and literature teachers, postsecondary56,22070
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products55,74040
Dental hygienists55,200110
Mechanical engineers53,630100
Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists52,77030
Social and community service managers51,75060
Network and computer systems administrators51,53060
First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers51,280100
Public relations specialists50,89030
Computer systems analysts50,62060
Registered nurses49,5001,150
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers49,410130
Education teachers, postsecondary49,28050
Computer programmers48,73090
Business operations specialists, all other48,660180
First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers48,310290
Radiologic technologists and technicians46,900140
Police and sheriff's patrol officers46,770120
Medical and clinical laboratory technologists46,63030
Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products46,47060

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