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%
18Financial managers16095,370$56,500 - 137,73013%60%
19Graphic designers16042,890$25,950 - 66,41010%55%
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%
24Physical therapists14066,190$49,740 - 82,26027%89%
25Management analysts14075,630$47,780 - 101,42022%78%
26Computer systems analysts14058,050$36,060 - 86,90029%68%
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%
43Community and social service specialists, all other8045,060$19,310 - 74,57025%58%
44Industrial engineers8059,490$42,400 - 82,13020%74%
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%
47Education administrators, elementary and secondary school7081,540$57,540 - 110,5908%78%
48Market research analysts7054,400$35,870 - 76,64020%82%
49Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists7046,480$33,710 - 64,91018%56%
50Speech-language pathologists7059,160$42,430 - 78,58011%98%
51Chief executives70159,570$68,640 - 2%65%
52Computer specialists, all other7062,600$27,760 - 101,85015%68%
53Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents6081,550$29,190 - 128,23025%67%
54Dietitians and nutritionists6051,470$37,780 - 68,8809%72%
55Mental health and substance abuse social workers60 $ - 30%77%
56Advertising sales agents6035,100$19,700 - 49,91020%56%
57Network systems and data communications analysts6063,210$37,390 - 91,49053%57%
58Special education teachers, secondary school6033,630$18,610 - 51,8509%87%
59Self-enrichment education teachers6044,760$26,750 - 63,94023%54%
60Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists6065,920$46,910 - 85,35016%99%
61Legislators5027,570$15,280 - 51,8601%65%
62Financial specialists, all other5035,170$24,410 - 48,88012%50%
63Social workers, all other5050,320$34,990 - 75,06018%77%
64Social scientists and related workers, all other50 $ - 5%90%
65Physician assistants50100,230$59,880 - 27%67%
66Public relations managers5070,210$45,320 - 99,88017%75%
67Architects, except landscape and naval4081,860$44,760 - 153,99018%88%
68Special education teachers, middle school4048,670$32,110 - 63,02016%87%
69Occupational therapists4062,670$45,600 - 84,11023%90%
70Technical writers4045,230$33,830 - 61,84020%74%
71Marketing managers4072,990$35,920 - 111,48014%69%
72Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers4061,020$43,680 - 80,21022%93%
73Environmental engineers3065,560$41,090 - 87,48025%86%
74Veterinarians3075,070$54,680 - 103,71035%100%
75Reporters and correspondents3029,490$21,830 - 39,0601%85%
76Education, training, and library workers, all other30 $ - 11%79%

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%
50Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop26017,150$15,310 - 19,93010%17%
51Insurance sales agents26043,110$23,370 - 68,73013%45%
52Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks26029,760$19,000 - 39,7304%6%
53Tellers25023,340$18,520 - 29,39014%16%
54First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers25048,150$26,370 - 65,370-4%15%
55Cement masons and concrete finishers25034,370$23,670 - 49,36011%2%
56Dental assistants24031,350$22,140 - 39,99029%9%
57First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers24083,440$33,220 - 9%10%
58Truck drivers, light or delivery services24031,110$20,110 - 57,8108%4%
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%
63Data entry keyers19030,140$18,210 - 47,140-4%18%
64Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers19039,090$26,200 - 51,4609%3%
65Police and sheriff's patrol officers19047,310$35,150 - 61,89011%33%
66Driver/sales workers19020,880$15,280 - 43,290-4%4%
67Painters, construction and maintenance18040,700$26,300 - 51,71012%6%
68Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks18018,330$15,570 - 22,31017%14%
69File clerks18026,370$19,500 - 33,610-40%20%
70Loan officers18052,910$34,570 - 79,04012%49%
71Printing machine operators18030,850$19,610 - 48,130-5%6%
72Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers18037,570$19,900 - 58,990-6%14%
73Recreation workers17027,100$16,540 - 47,14013%47%
74Administrative services managers17084,460$44,370 - 128,48012%40%
75Food servers, nonrestaurant16019,190$15,400 - 26,74016%9%
76Postal service mail carriers160 1%11%
77Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors16027,310$15,200 - 49,13027%47%
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%
82All other information and record clerks14036,750$24,370 - 49,540-12%21%
83Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers14018,540$15,390 - 24,02012%6%
84Industrial machinery mechanics14036,770$25,720 - 50,1609%5%
85Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment14046,190$27,360 - 77,1307%0%
86Prepress technicians and workers14040,210$30,890 - 51,090-20%16%
87Sales representatives, services, all other13045,760$17,530 - 86,15028%48%
88First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers13051,140$33,940 - 73,2307%13%
89Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators13034,530$22,690 - 49,5908%3%
90Medical records and health information technicians13043,860$26,590 - 60,73018%12%
91First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators12050,180$27,160 - 75,48010%17%
92Mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service12024,760$15,570 - 35,570-11%9%
93Parts salespersons12022,740$15,830 - 32,600-1%6%
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%
99English language and literature teachers, postsecondary100 0%0%
100Loan interviewers and clerks10029,140$22,240 - 36,6600%24%
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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

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