Source: SalaryDr salary data for in Iowa (N=95 approved reports). URL: https://www.salarydr.com
Physician Salary in Iowa (2026)
The average physician salary in Iowa is $406,202 across all specialties, based on 95 approved salary reports on SalaryDr. The median is $360,000, with a typical range of $320,000–$450,000.
Source: SalaryDr physician-reported data • Updated Nov 2026
Cost of Living in Iowa
Prices in Iowa run 12.2% below the national average (regional price parity 87.8, where the U.S. = 100). Physicians practicing in Iowa benefit from greater purchasing power, often making it one of the more financially attractive states for practice. Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Physician Salaries by Specialty in Iowa
| Specialty | Median Salary | Average Salary | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orthopedic Surgery | $860,000 | $856,667 | 3 |
| General Surgery | $700,000 | $625,000 | 4 |
| Hematology/Oncology | $700,000 | $585,000 | 4 |
| Anesthesiology | $540,000 | $541,429 | 7 |
| Neurology | $395,000 | $398,333 | 3 |
| Psychiatry | $380,000 | $375,000 | 5 |
Frequently Asked Questions: Physician Salary in Iowa
What is the average physician salary in Iowa?
The average physician salary in Iowa is $406,202, with a median of $360,000, based on 95 approved salary reports on SalaryDr.
Which medical specialty pays the most in Iowa?
Based on SalaryDr data, Orthopedic Surgery has the highest median salary in Iowa at $860,000.
How does the cost of living in Iowa affect physician pay?
Prices in Iowa run 12.2% below the national average (BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024: 87.8, where the U.S. = 100). Physicians should factor in housing, taxes, and everyday expenses when evaluating offers.
What cities in Iowa pay physicians the most?
Major cities in Iowa such as Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City typically offer competitive physician compensation.
How many physicians report salary data in Iowa?
SalaryDr currently has 95 approved physician salary reports from Iowa.
Explore Other States
Practice in Iowa?
Share your salary anonymously and help physicians make informed decisions about opportunities in Iowa. It takes less than 2 minutes.