SOC 25-2021 · Iowa City, IA metro

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education Salary in Iowa City, IA

The average salary for elementary school teachers (except special education) in Iowa City, Iowa is $60,250 a year, according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $60,870: half of the 760 people in this job in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 17% less than the U.S. average for this job ($72,650).

$60,250average per year

Median $60,870Take-home ≈ $48,913

  • $48K10th
  • $49K25th
  • $61KMedian
  • $72K75th
  • $78K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

760people in this job
-17%vs U.S. average
#5 of 8Iowa metros
92cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education pay range in Iowa City

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $47,630 a year or less, while the top 10% make $78,390 or more. The middle half of elementary school teachers (except special education) in Iowa City earn between $49,100 and $72,500.

  • $48K10th
  • $49K25th
  • $61KMedian
  • $72K75th
  • $78K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$60,250$5,021—
Median$60,870$5,072—
Entry level (25th percentile)$49,100$4,092—
Experienced (75th percentile)$72,500$6,042—

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year (BLS publishes this job's pay as annual only). Hourly to annual salary.

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education pay in Iowa City vs. Iowa and the U.S.

Elementary school teachers (except special education) in Iowa City earn about the same as the Iowa average ($59,110) and 17% less than the U.S. average ($72,650). At the median the gap is -5% against the U.S. median of $63,970.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Iowa City$60,250$60,870$47,630$78,390760
Iowa$59,110$60,580$47,260$77,40017,300
United States$72,650$63,970$47,960$104,3401,388,390

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary after taxes in Iowa City

On the average salary of $60,250, a single filer in Iowa City takes home about $48,913 a year, or $4,076 a month and $1,881 every two weeks. Taxes take 19% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Iowa school district surtaxes (a percentage of state tax in some districts) are not included.

Iowa paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Iowa City a good place for elementary school teachers (except special education)? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Iowa City area are 8% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 91.5), so the average $60,250 buys what about $65,841 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.2 times the median wage of all jobs in Iowa City ($50,060). A typical home costs $302,063, or 5.0 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $60,250 is worth in another city

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary in other Iowa cities

Iowa City ranks 5th of 8 Iowa metro areas for this job; Davenport pays the most ($63,460).

All Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salaries in Iowa

Highest-paying cities for elementary school teachers (except special education)

Mount Vernon, WA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($106,760).

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary by city

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Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary in Iowa City: questions

What is the entry-level elementary school teachers (except special education) salary in Iowa City?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $47,630 a year and the 25th percentile is $49,100, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the elementary school teachers (except special education) take-home pay in Iowa City?

About $48,913 a year ($4,076 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $60,250. Iowa school district surtaxes (a percentage of state tax in some districts) are not included.

Do elementary school teachers (except special education) earn more in Iowa City than elsewhere?

The average here is 17% less than the U.S. average for this job ($72,650).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 25-2021; area Iowa City, IA (26980). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.0%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Iowa school district surtaxes (a percentage of state tax in some districts) are not included.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 0.90, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.

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