City Town Info

Iowa City Employment

Employment and Industries in the Iowa City, Iowa Area

Iowa City's economy is based on commerce, the University of Iowa and numerous national and international companies. Arts and entertainment are also significant economic elements. Iowa City is home to the corporate headquarters of Moore North America, ACT, Procter & Gamble and Oral B Laboratories/Gillette. The city's largest employer is the University of Iowa. The university's academic and research activities along with its healthcare services have a substantial impact on the region.

Iowa City's top employment sectors are education, healthcare, accommodation and food services, finance and insurance; and professional scientific and technical services. The city also includes numerous computer specialists. About 42% of the labor force is found in management, professional and related occupations.

Accolades for Iowa City: Forbes Magazine named Iowa City as the second best small metropolitan area for doing business in the nation. Iowa City was also ranked #8 in Forbes's list of up and coming tech cities. Ranked the 5th best metro area for expanding a business out of 329 by Expansion Management Magazine.

Some of the occupations more prevalent in Iowa City than most other cities include medical scientists, pre press technicians and workers, English language and literature teachers, post secondary; electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment; team assemblers, child care workers and chemists.

Shown below is a list of the top employers in Iowa City:

  • University of Iowa
  • University of Iowa Hospitals
  • Iowa City Community Schools
  • Veteran's Administration Hospital
  • Mercy Hospital
  • Hy-Vee
  • Rockwell International
  • ACT
  • Lear
  • City of Iowa City
  • Procter & Gamble
  • Oral B Laboratories
  • Systems Unlimited
  • MCI Mass Markets

Pertinent data regarding Iowa City Iowa: About 55% of the adults have earned a bachelor's degree or better. The cost of living index in 2008 was 84.3 and the nation's average is 100. In 2009 the average salary in Iowa City, Iowa was $32,000.

Businesses located in Iowa City work with organizations such as:

Those interested in staying current with Iowa City business activities may want to visit press-citizen.com

Most Popular Jobs in Iowa City, 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
1Elementary school teachers, except special education66037,630$26,600 - 52,17014%95%
2Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products56051,670$24,700 - 78,1808%51%
3Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education50042,180$27,260 - 58,0406%96%
4Accountants and auditors49050,270$30,100 - 75,09018%79%
5Computer software engineers, applications45064,480$45,560 - 89,02045%85%
6Teachers and instructors, all other44029,340$26,020 - 32,3209%54%
7Medical scientists, except epidemiologists35062,580$34,050 - 94,16020%99%
8Pharmacists31086,990$36,390 - 106,65022%97%
9Medical and health services managers30089,680$58,720 - 126,62016%57%
10Managers, all other25055,100$29,740 - 84,3107%55%
11Computer programmers24058,640$42,040 - 81,1100%73%
12Network and computer systems administrators24058,300$33,010 - 85,48027%50%
13Training and development specialists22050,170$26,930 - 74,20018%56%
14Coaches and scouts220 $ - 15%60%
15Instructional coordinators19054,740$41,270 - 72,16023%79%
16Computer and information systems managers190117,980$72,170 - 16%73%
17Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education18043,300$27,860 - 61,42011%95%
18Graphic designers16042,890$25,950 - 66,41010%55%
19Financial managers16095,370$56,500 - 137,73013%60%
20Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school16033,460$22,060 - 56,31020%87%
21Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products15077,420$26,520 - 132,34012%51%
22Child, family, and school social workers15049,580$20,870 - 74,43019%77%
23Social and human service assistants14023,990$16,160 - 36,16034%58%
24Computer systems analysts14058,050$36,060 - 86,90029%68%
25Physical therapists14066,190$49,740 - 82,26027%89%
26Management analysts14075,630$47,780 - 101,42022%78%
27Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other13050,840$15,540 - 75,98017%56%
28Librarians13060,550$43,290 - 83,5504%85%
29Lawyers13071,940$51,820 - 101,96011%99%
30Chemists12052,720$32,370 - 80,1309%93%
31Medical and public health social workers12049,550$35,140 - 64,70024%77%
32Editors11045,210$27,590 - 64,4002%81%
33Civil engineers11072,540$44,930 - 102,09018%87%
34Mechanical engineers11066,490$49,100 - 88,5704%78%
35Educational, vocational, and school counselors11044,790$34,120 - 59,88013%73%
36Rehabilitation counselors10028,400$16,250 - 44,44023%73%
37Public relations specialists10053,860$24,520 - 89,17018%81%
38Sales and related workers, all other10033,900$17,940 - 61,87014%62%
39Database administrators9061,060$35,350 - 94,59029%72%
40Financial analysts9058,670$29,820 - 96,82034%87%
41Sales managers9084,800$38,240 - 132,23010%69%
42Education administrators, preschool and child care center/program8028,840$22,290 - 38,44024%78%
43Industrial engineers8059,490$42,400 - 82,13020%74%
44Community and social service specialists, all other8045,060$19,310 - 74,57025%58%
45Social and community service managers7050,510$29,530 - 72,49025%72%
46Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation7052,910$29,230 - 79,3805%58%
47Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists7046,480$33,710 - 64,91018%56%
48Education administrators, elementary and secondary school7081,540$57,540 - 110,5908%78%
49Speech-language pathologists7059,160$42,430 - 78,58011%98%
50Market research analysts7054,400$35,870 - 76,64020%82%
51Chief executives70159,570$68,640 - 2%65%
52Computer specialists, all other7062,600$27,760 - 101,85015%68%
53Mental health and substance abuse social workers60 $ - 30%77%
54Advertising sales agents6035,100$19,700 - 49,91020%56%
55Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents6081,550$29,190 - 128,23025%67%
56Network systems and data communications analysts6063,210$37,390 - 91,49053%57%
57Special education teachers, secondary school6033,630$18,610 - 51,8509%87%
58Self-enrichment education teachers6044,760$26,750 - 63,94023%54%
59Dietitians and nutritionists6051,470$37,780 - 68,8809%72%
60Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists6065,920$46,910 - 85,35016%99%
61Legislators5027,570$15,280 - 51,8601%65%
62Social workers, all other5050,320$34,990 - 75,06018%77%
63Social scientists and related workers, all other50 $ - 5%90%
64Financial specialists, all other5035,170$24,410 - 48,88012%50%
65Physician assistants50100,230$59,880 - 27%67%
66Public relations managers5070,210$45,320 - 99,88017%75%
67Marketing managers4072,990$35,920 - 111,48014%69%
68Architects, except landscape and naval4081,860$44,760 - 153,99018%88%
69Special education teachers, middle school4048,670$32,110 - 63,02016%87%
70Occupational therapists4062,670$45,600 - 84,11023%90%
71Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers4061,020$43,680 - 80,21022%93%
72Technical writers4045,230$33,830 - 61,84020%74%
73Environmental engineers3065,560$41,090 - 87,48025%86%
74Reporters and correspondents3029,490$21,830 - 39,0601%85%
75Education, training, and library workers, all other30 $ - 11%79%
76Veterinarians3075,070$54,680 - 103,71035%100%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Office clerks, general3,32031,700$17,880 - 47,44013%19%
2Retail salespersons2,77024,710$15,620 - 41,32012%25%
3Cashiers2,17018,870$15,400 - 23,930-2%10%
4Waiters and waitresses2,09016,770$15,220 - 20,97011%14%
5Team assemblers1,92024,290$16,850 - 37,3900%5%
6Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food1,71017,480$15,250 - 20,44018%5%
7Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners1,45026,250$16,940 - 35,12015%4%
8Business operations specialists, all other1,39049,080$27,580 - 73,36021%49%
9Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive1,33034,020$21,380 - 47,9101%18%
10Cooks, restaurant1,09018,570$15,270 - 23,75012%5%
11Customer service representatives1,07028,970$17,660 - 42,07025%22%
12Stock clerks and order fillers1,06024,210$16,310 - 36,540-7%8%
13Child care workers1,02018,020$15,490 - 22,09018%15%
14Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks94031,690$19,300 - 46,68013%16%
15Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants88025,570$19,660 - 33,16018%7%
16First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers75037,790$22,010 - 59,2504%25%
17Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand75025,240$16,700 - 39,0402%5%
18Executive secretaries and administrative assistants74040,050$27,780 - 53,35015%18%
19Maintenance and repair workers, general62034,430$21,800 - 48,91010%6%
20Industrial truck and tractor operators59027,630$20,400 - 34,750-1%2%
21Receptionists and information clerks57024,600$16,570 - 35,13017%13%
22Home health aides55020,660$17,130 - 25,36049%7%
23Carpenters52035,510$25,270 - 48,19010%6%
24First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers52045,600$28,350 - 63,4606%29%
25Bartenders51017,830$15,240 - 23,63011%17%
26General and operations managers51092,320$47,680 - 142,6502%48%
27First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers49033,870$19,010 - 50,39011%14%
28Maids and housekeeping cleaners48019,780$15,420 - 26,00013%5%
29Medical secretaries46034,980$25,880 - 47,73017%18%
30Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop45018,230$15,310 - 24,19010%8%
31Food preparation workers44022,170$15,960 - 30,81015%7%
32Teacher assistants43020,180$15,360 - 26,01010%18%
33Landscaping and groundskeeping workers42025,790$17,570 - 39,44018%6%
34Construction laborers40029,760$21,770 - 39,29011%5%
35Packers and packagers, hand40022,830$15,770 - 35,400-11%3%
36Medical assistants39029,870$23,650 - 37,70035%10%
37Computer support specialists37042,990$28,140 - 59,43013%43%
38Personal and home care aides37020,440$16,730 - 24,92051%10%
39Billing and posting clerks and machine operators36035,780$26,640 - 47,6304%15%
40Cooks, institution and cafeteria33026,960$19,400 - 38,41011%5%
41Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists32024,570$16,160 - 34,51012%6%
42Security guards31022,040$15,820 - 34,48017%13%
43Pharmacy technicians31031,100$20,490 - 45,83032%16%
44Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders30028,460$15,710 - 38,170-4%5%
45Office and administrative support workers, all other30022,170$15,650 - 29,530-8%32%
46Automotive service technicians and mechanics29032,450$18,900 - 49,51014%4%
47Telemarketers29022,060$15,550 - 34,020-9%14%
48Electricians28048,660$31,290 - 64,6507%7%
49Amusement and recreation attendants27018,630$15,330 - 24,94024%22%
50Insurance sales agents26043,110$23,370 - 68,73013%45%
51Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks26029,760$19,000 - 39,7304%6%
52Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop26017,150$15,310 - 19,93010%17%
53Tellers25023,340$18,520 - 29,39014%16%
54Cement masons and concrete finishers25034,370$23,670 - 49,36011%2%
55First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers25048,150$26,370 - 65,370-4%15%
56Dental assistants24031,350$22,140 - 39,99029%9%
57Truck drivers, light or delivery services24031,110$20,110 - 57,8108%4%
58First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers24083,440$33,220 - 9%10%
59Dishwashers23018,500$15,700 - 22,69010%3%
60Physicians and surgeons, all other220175,230$77,330 - 0%0%
61Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses22039,850$33,720 - 48,61014%7%
62Counter and rental clerks21020,130$15,340 - 30,65023%16%
63Police and sheriff's patrol officers19047,310$35,150 - 61,89011%33%
64Driver/sales workers19020,880$15,280 - 43,290-4%4%
65Data entry keyers19030,140$18,210 - 47,140-4%18%
66Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers19039,090$26,200 - 51,4609%3%
67Painters, construction and maintenance18040,700$26,300 - 51,71012%6%
68Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers18037,570$19,900 - 58,990-6%14%
69Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks18018,330$15,570 - 22,31017%14%
70File clerks18026,370$19,500 - 33,610-40%20%
71Loan officers18052,910$34,570 - 79,04012%49%
72Printing machine operators18030,850$19,610 - 48,130-5%6%
73Recreation workers17027,100$16,540 - 47,14013%47%
74Administrative services managers17084,460$44,370 - 128,48012%40%
75Postal service mail carriers160 1%11%
76Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors16027,310$15,200 - 49,13027%47%
77Food servers, nonrestaurant16019,190$15,400 - 26,74016%9%
78Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters15059,460$40,040 - 82,70011%4%
79Library assistants, clerical150 8%37%
80Healthcare support workers, all other14031,030$21,910 - 44,18016%10%
81Nonfarm animal caretakers14030,480$15,880 - 48,43018%16%
82Prepress technicians and workers14040,210$30,890 - 51,090-20%16%
83All other information and record clerks14036,750$24,370 - 49,540-12%21%
84Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers14018,540$15,390 - 24,02012%6%
85Industrial machinery mechanics14036,770$25,720 - 50,1609%5%
86Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment14046,190$27,360 - 77,1307%0%
87First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers13051,140$33,940 - 73,2307%13%
88Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators13034,530$22,690 - 49,5908%3%
89Sales representatives, services, all other13045,760$17,530 - 86,15028%48%
90Medical records and health information technicians13043,860$26,590 - 60,73018%12%
91Mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service12024,760$15,570 - 35,570-11%9%
92Parts salespersons12022,740$15,830 - 32,600-1%6%
93First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators12050,180$27,160 - 75,48010%17%
94Bus drivers, transit and intercity12034,920$16,450 - 47,78013%4%
95Extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic12032,630$26,190 - 41,870-6%0%
96First-line supervisors/managers of personal service workers11036,270$26,150 - 52,31016%26%
97Food preparation and serving related workers, all other11018,250$16,040 - 20,35013%6%
98Cleaners of vehicles and equipment11022,000$15,490 - 25,54014%3%
99Legal secretaries10029,250$17,610 - 41,20012%18%
100English language and literature teachers, postsecondary100 0%0%
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Jobs More Common Near Iowa City Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists62,5803508.4
Food preparation and serving related workers, all other18,2501105.6
Prepress technicians and workers40,2101405
English language and literature teachers, postsecondary 1004.3
Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment46,1901404.1
Team assemblers24,2901,9203.9
Child care workers18,0201,0203.6
Extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic32,6301203.5
Instructional coordinators54,7401903.1
Chemists52,7201203
Library assistants, clerical 1502.9
Coaches and scouts 2202.8
Business operations specialists, all other49,0801,3902.6
Cement masons and concrete finishers34,3702502.6
Office and administrative support workers, all other22,1703002.5
Cooks, restaurant18,5701,0902.5
Pharmacists86,9903102.4
Medical and health services managers89,6803002.3
Amusement and recreation attendants18,6302702.3
Office clerks, general31,7003,3202.3
Nonfarm animal caretakers30,4801402.2
Rehabilitation counselors28,4001002.2
Cooks, institution and cafeteria26,9603302.1
Bartenders17,8305102.1
Training and development specialists50,1702202.1
Industrial truck and tractor operators27,6305902
Medical secretaries34,9804602
Editors45,2101102
Pharmacy technicians31,1003102
Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders28,4603001.9
Printing machine operators30,8501801.9
Teachers and instructors, all other29,3404401.9
Telemarketers22,0602901.9
Medical and public health social workers49,5501201.8
Librarians60,5501301.8
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists24,5703201.8
Waiters and waitresses16,7702,0901.8
Food servers, nonrestaurant19,1901601.8
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks18,3301801.8
Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop18,2304501.8
File clerks26,3701801.7
Mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service24,7601201.7
First-line supervisors/managers of personal service workers36,2701101.7
Physicians and surgeons, all other175,2302201.7
Physical therapists66,1901401.7
Personal and home care aides20,4403701.7
Bus drivers, transit and intercity34,9201201.7
Computer software engineers, applications64,4804501.6
Dental assistants31,3502401.6
Medical assistants29,8703901.6

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

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Nonfarm animal caretakers30,4801.48140
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers83,4401.44240
Medical records and health information technicians43,8601.39130
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters59,4601.29150
Office clerks, general31,7001.253,320
Child, family, and school social workers49,5801.22150
Medical secretaries34,9801.21460
Painters, construction and maintenance40,7001.19180
Billing and posting clerks and machine operators35,7801.18360
Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive34,0201.171,330
Computer and information systems managers117,9801.17190
Administrative services managers84,4601.16170
Data entry keyers30,1401.16190
Food preparation workers22,1701.15440
Librarians60,5501.15130
Bus drivers, transit and intercity34,9201.15120
Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners26,2501.151,450
Prepress technicians and workers40,2101.14140
Cooks, institution and cafeteria26,9601.14330
Recreation workers27,1001.12170
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers37,5701.12180
Packers and packagers, hand22,8301.12400
First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers33,8701.12490
File clerks26,3701.12180
All other information and record clerks36,7501.11140
Pharmacy technicians31,1001.11310
Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders28,4601.09300
Medical and public health social workers49,5501.08120
Dishwashers18,5001.07230
Truck drivers, light or delivery services31,1101.07240
Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers18,5401.07140
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants25,5701.06880
Graphic designers42,8901.06160
Medical assistants29,8701.06390
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers25,7901.06420
Healthcare support workers, all other31,0301.06140
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products77,4201.06150
Stock clerks and order fillers24,2101.061,060
Medical and health services managers89,6801.06300
Cleaners of vehicles and equipment22,0001.05110
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand25,2401.05750
Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks29,7601.04260
Extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic32,6301.04120
Electricians48,6601.04280
Maids and housekeeping cleaners19,7801.03480
Executive secretaries and administrative assistants40,0501.03740
Management analysts75,6301.03140
Receptionists and information clerks24,6001.03570
Financial managers95,3701.03160
Personal and home care aides20,4401.02370

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

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
Physicians and surgeons, all other175,230220
Chief executives159,57070
Computer and information systems managers117,980190
Physician assistants100,23050
Financial managers95,370160
Industrial production managers92,71040
General and operations managers92,320510
Medical and health services managers89,680300
Pharmacists86,990310
Sales managers84,80090
Administrative services managers84,460170
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers83,440240
Architects, except landscape and naval81,86040
Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents81,55060
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school81,54070
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products77,420150
Management analysts75,630140
Veterinarians75,07030
Construction managers73,72040
Marketing managers72,99040
Civil engineers72,540110
Lawyers71,940130
Public relations managers70,21050
Mechanical engineers66,490110
First-line supervisors/managers of police and detectives66,31070
Physical therapists66,190140
Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists65,92060
Environmental engineers65,56030
Computer software engineers, applications64,480450
Network systems and data communications analysts63,21060
Occupational therapists62,67040
Computer specialists, all other62,60070
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists62,580350
First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers61,83090
Database administrators61,06090
Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers61,02040
Postsecondary teachers, all other60,92030
Librarians60,550130
Industrial engineers59,49080
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters59,460150
Speech-language pathologists59,16070
Financial analysts58,67090
Computer programmers58,640240
Network and computer systems administrators58,300240
Computer systems analysts58,050140
Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators56,570 
Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products56,560100
Diagnostic medical sonographers56,55040
Managers, all other55,100250
Instructional coordinators54,740190

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