BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Optometrists in Iowa

$123,250 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$59.25 per hour

▼ 12.9% below U.S. average44th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$123,250per year
Median$125,380per year
Hourly$59.25per hour
10th – 90th percentile$73,660 – $175,460per year

Optometrists Pay Range in Iowa

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$73,660
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$90,330
  • 50th Percentile — Median$125,380
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$140,630
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$175,460

Half of Optometrists in Iowa earn more than $125,380. The top 10% make $175,460 or more, while entry-level workers start around $73,660.

Optometrists in Iowa: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Iowa ranks 44th of 51 states for Optometrists pay, at $123,250 per year (12.9% below the U.S. average of $141,550).
  • 450 people work as Optometrists in Iowa — 1.1% of all U.S. Optometrists jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.05: Optometrists jobs are more concentrated in Iowa than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $73,660; the top 10% earn over $175,460.
  • Hourly equivalent: $59.25 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Alaska at $165,120.
  • Among healthcare jobs in Iowa, Surgeons All Other pays the most ($488,900).

Optometrists Job Market in Iowa

Key factors affecting compensation

Iowa's key industries are Agriculture, Manufacturing, Finance, and its job market is rated moderate. Optometrists here earn $123,250 on average, placing the state 44th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.86 (U.S. = 1.00), a Iowa salary of $123,250 is roughly equivalent to $143,314 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Oregon ($127,920), Mississippi ($126,580), Arkansas ($125,460) are the closest alternatives for Optometrists weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Optometrists salary in Iowa?

The average Optometrists salary in Iowa is $123,250 per year (median $125,380), which is 12.9% below the national average of $141,550.

How does Iowa rank for Optometrists pay?

Iowa ranks 44th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Alaska ($165,120/yr).

How much do entry-level Optometrists make in Iowa?

The lowest-paid 10% of Optometrists in Iowa earn about $73,660 per year and the 25th percentile is $90,330.

How much do Optometrists make per hour in Iowa?

About $59.25 per hour, based on the $123,250 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Optometrists work in Iowa?

BLS counts 450 Optometrists jobs in Iowa (OEWS May 2025).

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