Accountant Salary in Iowa: $79,916 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Iowa's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median accountant pay sits at $79,916/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 13-2011. Because Iowa sits at BEA RPP 90.4 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $88,403 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Ames ($79,320), Des Moines ($79,290), Sioux City ($78,650).
In Iowa, the projected average median salary for accountants in 2026 is $79,916, which is approximately 6.9% lower than the national median of $85,864. The range of salaries across the state varies significantly, with Ames offering the highest average salary at $81,390, while Fort Dodge presents the lowest at $72,893, highlighting a gap of $8,497. This salary disparity can be attributed to several factors, including the cost of living, demand for accounting services, and the concentration of businesses that require financial expertise in different cities. Iowa has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that accountants must navigate. These regulations can impact employment opportunities and salaries. The state's job market for accountants is projected to grow at an annual rate of 2.61%, suggesting a steady demand for skilled professionals in the field. Key metropolitan areas contributing to this demand include Des Moines with an average salary of $81,359, Sioux City at $80,703, and West Des Moines at $80,309. Overall, while salaries in Iowa may lag slightly behind national figures, the steady growth and regional differences present viable opportunities for aspiring accountants in the state.
Iowa Accountant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Iowa: $49,879 (lowest entry-level) to $131,474 (highest top earner)
Iowa vs National Average
Iowa accountants earn 6.93% less than the national median ($-5,948/year difference).
Iowa Accountant Salary Distribution (2026)
Accountant salaries in Iowa range from $55,089 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $128,523 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $79,916. The Iowa median is $5,948 below the US national median of $85,864. The average hourly rate is $38.42/hr. Approximately 10,566 accountants are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$65,103
2025 BLS Actual
$77,883
2026 Current Est.
$79,916
2019–2027 Growth
+26.0%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Iowa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,103 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,273 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,710 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,264 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,929 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,822 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,883 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,916 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,002 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 19.6% from $65,103 (2019) to $77,883 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,002 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,899 (25.96%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.61% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Iowa
Lowest Paying Cities in Iowa
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Fort Dodge | $72,893 |
| Johnston | $73,705 |
| Ottumwa | $73,884 |
| Muscatine | $74,164 |
| Clinton | $74,516 |
Best Value Cities for Accountants in Iowa
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Iowa cities offer the most purchasing power for accountants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux City | $80,703 | 86.454 | $93,348 |
| Ames | $81,390 | 88.83 | $91,624 |
| Davenport | $79,625 | 89.079 | $89,387 |
| Cedar Rapids | $79,194 | 88.963 | $89,019 |
| West Des Moines | $80,309 | 90.4 | $88,837 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Iowa
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $55,089 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $79,916 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $128,523 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Iowa metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in Iowa
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ames | $81,390 |
| 2 | Des Moines | $81,359 |
| 3 | Sioux City | $80,703 |
| 4 | West Des Moines | $80,309 |
| 5 | Davenport | $79,625 |
| 6 | Cedar Rapids | $79,194 |
| 7 | Marion | $78,084 |
| 8 | Ankeny | $77,172 |
| 9 | Iowa City | $77,060 |
| 10 | Cedar Falls | $77,058 |
| 11 | Council Bluffs | $76,688 |
| 12 | Burlington | $76,248 |
| 13 | Dubuque | $76,075 |
| 14 | Waukee | $75,973 |
| 15 | Urbandale | $75,872 |
| 16 | Bettendorf | $75,866 |
| 17 | Marshalltown | $75,632 |
| 18 | Coralville | $75,532 |
| 19 | Waterloo | $75,449 |
| 20 | Mason City | $75,182 |
| 21 | North Liberty | $74,887 |
| 22 | Clinton | $74,516 |
| 23 | Muscatine | $74,164 |
| 24 | Ottumwa | $73,884 |
| 25 | Johnston | $73,705 |
| 26 | Fort Dodge | $72,893 |
More Iowa Salary Data
Explore More Accountant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do accountants make in Iowa in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for accountants in Iowa?
How does Iowa accountant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level accountant salary in Iowa?
How many accountants are employed in Iowa?
Which Iowa city offers the best value for accountants?
Written by Sofia Patel, CPA
Career Analyst
Sofia Patel has over 10 years of experience in financial analysis. She specializes in tax preparation for small businesses. She has worked in both corporate and public accounting environments.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.61% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 accountant compensation across Iowa. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more accountantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.61%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for accountants (SOC 13-2011).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Patel, CPA, a licensed accountant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov