PlainTeacher

State profile · NCES F-33 FY2023

Teacher Salary in Iowa

Iowa's top-to-bottom district pay ratio (1.75x) ranks #38 of 47, lower-third dispersion. According to the NCES Common Core of Data finance survey, estimated teacher pay and per-pupil spending are available for every public school district in Iowa.

$63,660
Est. state avg salary

Below benchmark

-9.4%
vs national
#30
National rank
327
Districts

Keep this state in your shortlist

Save it in this browser, then return when PlainTeacher adds a newer public-data release. No account or personal details required.

View saved

$63,660/year (est.)

Iowa's top-to-bottom district pay ratio (1.75x) ranks #38 of 47, lower-third dispersion. Estimated average teacher salary is $63,660, below the national average of $70,245, ranking #30 of 49, across 303 public school districts with reliable data (NCES CCD F-33, FY2023).

  • Tight district pay band: Iowa's top-to-bottom district pay ratio (1.75x) ranks #38 of 47, lower-third dispersion.
  • middle third nationally (#30 of 49)
  • Iowa ranks #30 of 49 on the salary estimate and #29 of 49 on enrollment in the same reliable-district pool.
  • $35,299 spread between its highest- and lowest-paying districts
  • -9.4% vs the national average
  • +9.0% estimated-basis panel FY2019→FY2023 (balanced cohort, not the FTE average above)
  • #23 of 49 purchasing-power-adjusted (BEA RPP 88.8)

How do price levels change Iowa's national position?

Within the enrollment-weighted state comparison, the nominal F-33 estimate is $67,736 and ranks #31. Applying the BEA 2023 Regional Price Parity (88.8, US=100) produces a relative purchasing-power figure of $76,306 and rank #23: 8-place lift.

This is a separate, enrollment-weighted state-level price comparison; the headline and main state-salary rank use an unweighted district mean. Neither measure is take-home pay, a district cost-of-living budget, or an individual contract offer.

Iowa's purchasing-power rank moves 8-place lift

Iowa's nominal average teacher salary ranks #30 of the 49 states and territories that report teacher salaries. Adjusted by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis's 2023 Regional Price Parity (88.8, US = 100, a relative state-level price-level index, not a district or metro cost-of-living figure), the estimate becomes $76,306, ranking #23 of 49 , 7 places higher than the nominal rank once relative price levels are factored in. This purchasing-power view is not published by NEA's teacher-pay rankings or the aggregator sites; it comes from combining our own F-33-derived salary estimate with BEA's public RPP series. See the full 51-state release for methodology and download. BEA Regional Price Parities · NCES CCD F-33

Iowa in the teacher-salary distribution

FY2023 estimated state averages from the same NCES-derived ranking

$63,660 39th percentile higher than 39% of 49 reporting states and territories

Show national distribution $0–$5,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Below this entry. $5,000–$10,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Below this entry. $10,000–$15,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Below this entry. $15,000–$20,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Below this entry. $20,000–$25,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$30,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Below this entry. $30,000–$35,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Below this entry. $35,000–$40,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Below this entry. $40,000–$45,000: 1 reporting states and territories (2%). Below this entry. $45,000–$50,000: 2 reporting states and territories (4%). Below this entry. $50,000–$55,000: 6 reporting states and territories (12%). Below this entry. $55,000–$60,000: 5 reporting states and territories (10%). Below this entry. $60,000–$65,000: 9 reporting states and territories (18%). This entry sits in this band. $65,000–$70,000: 7 reporting states and territories (14%). Above this entry. $70,000–$75,000: 2 reporting states and territories (4%). Above this entry. $75,000–$80,000: 4 reporting states and territories (8%). Above this entry. $80,000–$85,000: 5 reporting states and territories (10%). Above this entry. $85,000–$90,000: 5 reporting states and territories (10%). Above this entry. $90,000–$95,000: 1 reporting states and territories (2%). Above this entry. $95,000–$100,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Above this entry. $100,000–$105,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Above this entry. $105,000–$110,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Above this entry. $110,000–$115,000: 1 reporting states and territories (2%). Above this entry. $115,000–$120,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Above this entry. $120,000–$125,000: 1 reporting states and territories (2%). Above this entry. Iowa $0 $125,000 reporting state salary estimates, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $5K-wide band; taller bars hold more reporting states and territories. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source NCES CCD F-33 Finance Survey; state estimates derived from reported instructional-salary expenditure and teacher FTE · FY2023

Iowa's comparable salary trend

Same reporting-district cohort, FY2019-FY2023

FY2023 estimated average
$71,774 8.992914635821283% vs FY2019
323 districts held in the panel
$64,000$66,000$68,000$70,000$72,000$74,000 FY2019FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023 Iowa est. avg teacher salary, FY2019: $65,852Iowa est. avg teacher salary, FY2020: $66,408Iowa est. avg teacher salary, FY2021: $69,206Iowa est. avg teacher salary, FY2022: $71,272Iowa est. avg teacher salary, FY2023: $71,774 $65,852 $71,774 ▲ +9.0%
Read the chart as text
Period Iowa est. avg teacher salary
FY2019 $65,852
FY2020 $66,408
FY2021 $69,206
FY2022 $71,272
FY2023 $71,774

Highest-paying districts in Iowa

Estimated average teacher salary, enrolling districts (200+ students)

Est. avg salary

What this shows Linn-Mar Comm School District leads Iowa on the F-33 instructional-salary estimate. Service entities (CTCs, county offices) are excluded, their enrollment-based ratios are not reliable salary figures.

Source NCES CCD F-33 Finance Survey, FY2023 As of FY2023

Top 3 districts

1 $82,552

Linn-Mar Comm School District

Est. avg teacher salary
2 $80,168

Iowa City Comm School District

Est. avg teacher salary
3 $78,487

Gilbert Comm School District

Est. avg teacher salary

Districts by Estimated Teacher Salary

District Est. Avg Salary Enrollment Per-Pupil Exp
South Tama County $61,276 1,488 $16,937
Perry Comm School District $61,244 1,746 $17,044
Northeast Comm School District $61,236 868 $13,636
Allamakee Comm School District $61,203 1,121 $15,563
Bondurant-Farrar Comm School District $61,076 2,731 $15,015
Eastern Allamakee Comm School District $61,058 330 $16,055
Van Buren County Comm School District $61,012 867 $21,615
Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Comm School District $60,991 943 $14,892
Albia Comm School District $60,979 1,120 $15,970
Union Comm School District $60,956 1,008 $15,173
Anamosa Comm School District $60,948 1,183 $16,985
Danville Comm School District $60,931 662 $14,502
Northwood-Kensett Comm School District $60,759 594 $14,955
Remsen-Union Comm School District $60,701 310 $21,303
North Mahaska Comm School District $60,495 616 $15,487
Marion Independent School District $60,374 2,229 $22,155
Charles City Comm School District $60,360 1,516 $16,476
Corning Comm School District $60,338 420 $20,421
Camanche Comm School District $60,275 995 $23,053
BCLUW Comm School District $60,136 506 $16,974
Lisbon Comm School District $60,098 719 $17,256
Saydel Comm School District $60,094 1,337 $23,028
Akron Westfield Comm School District $60,086 580 $28,829
North Iowa Comm School District $59,934 480 $16,867
West Burlington Ind School District $59,786 916 $12,680
South O'Brien Comm School District $59,754 576 $16,997
Woodbine Comm School District $59,730 534 $27,165
Audubon Comm School District $59,699 547 $26,207
Fremont-Mills Comm School District $59,664 469 $16,454
North Tama County Comm School District $59,617 476 $16,011
Central City Comm School District $59,586 413 $16,404
Alta-Aurelia Comm School District $59,578 837 $15,838
Melcher-Dallas Comm School District $59,487 330 $31,618
Sibley-Ocheyedan Comm School District $59,387 729 $14,984
Bedford Comm School District $59,382 535 $14,056
Earlham Comm School District $59,380 635 $12,946
Creston Comm School District $59,259 1,379 $15,681
Boyer Valley Comm School District $59,236 420 $24,007
Tri-Center Comm School District $59,225 724 $13,713
Oskaloosa Comm School District $59,223 2,081 $18,228
Treynor Comm School District $59,174 795 $12,894
Collins-Maxwell Comm School District $58,898 412 $22,558
Missouri Valley Comm School District $58,775 754 $16,020
Forest City Comm School District $58,610 1,141 $14,562
Galva-Holstein Comm School District $58,581 484 $17,362
Graettinger-Terril Comm School District $58,486 354 $19,477
South Central Calhoun Comm School District $58,347 916 $16,263
Alburnett Comm School District $58,308 810 $18,814
Highland Comm School District $58,307 565 $17,963
Grinnell-Newburg Comm School District $58,206 1,538 $20,445
Winfield-Mt Union Comm School District $57,927 391 $15,368
Twin Cedars Comm School District $57,889 358 $19,254
West Monona Comm School District $57,831 634 $15,443
Coon Rapids-Bayard Comm School District $57,808 436 $18,023
River Valley Comm School District $57,771 342 $19,564
Tipton Comm School District $57,731 941 $13,830
Interstate 35 Comm School District $57,667 842 $16,542
Logan-Magnolia Comm School District $57,632 725 $13,221
Colo-NESCO Comm School District $57,631 387 $21,729
Grundy Center Comm School District $57,349 724 $16,123
PCM Comm School District $56,814 1,130 $13,250
Harris-Lake Park Comm School District $56,745 332 $16,449
GMG Comm School District $56,354 478 $14,205
Calamus-Wheatland Comm School District $56,206 414 $20,072
Villisca Comm School District $56,110 279 $22,219
West Fork Comm School District $55,981 776 $19,871
Riceville Comm School District $55,964 406 $16,894
Woodward-Granger Comm School District $55,766 1,210 $16,331
Exira-Elk Horn- Kimballton Comm Sch Dist $55,760 394 $17,518
Mormon Trail Comm School District $55,736 223 $27,570
Shenandoah Comm School District $55,655 1,078 $15,634
Central Decatur Comm School District $55,612 697 $15,736
Griswold Comm School District $55,610 431 $19,204
Stanton Comm School District $55,604 265 $14,751
Central DeWitt School District $55,468 1,565 $14,491
Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Comm School District $55,429 647 $16,488
Adel DeSoto Minburn Comm School District $55,370 2,254 $14,368
Eldora-New Providence Comm School District $55,335 522 $21,939
George-Little Rock Comm School District $55,301 426 $15,096
Eddyville-Blakesburg- Fremont CSD $55,242 964 $16,202
Eagle Grove Comm School District $55,142 1,000 $14,551
Edgewood-Colesburg Comm School District $55,107 516 $19,566
Fairfield Comm School District $54,858 1,514 $16,521
Moravia Comm School District $54,622 382 $14,814
Madrid Comm School District $54,017 668 $18,145
Clarksville Comm School District $53,736 311 $15,251
Essex Comm School District $53,634 206 $21,165
Easton Valley Comm School District $53,273 499 $17,679
United Comm School District $53,126 361 $19,197
Dunkerton Comm School District $52,946 414 $16,302
Seymour Comm School District $52,223 223 $21,982
Guthrie Center Comm School District $52,113 470 $16,779
Gladbrook-Reinbeck Comm School District $51,577 465 $19,454
Lone Tree Comm School District $51,115 428 $14,860
CAM Comm School District $50,987 1,441 $8,074
Cardinal Comm School District $50,651 1,074 $16,548
Keota Comm School District $50,396 321 $17,829
Waco Comm School District $50,258 505 $15,798
Murray Comm School District $48,629 298 $14,252
Springville Comm School District $47,958 438 $15,598

Showing 201–300 of 303 enrolling districts. Specialized non-enrolling agencies (career/technical centers, county offices, service co-ops) are excluded from the salary ranking, their enrollment-based estimates are not reliable.

Lowest-Paying Districts in Iowa

District Est. Avg Salary Enrollment
Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn Comm School District $47,253 386
Manson Northwest Webster Comm School District $47,411 779
West Bend-Mallard Comm School District $47,506 395
Springville Comm School District $47,958 438
Murray Comm School District $48,629 298
Waco Comm School District $50,258 505
Keota Comm School District $50,396 321
Cardinal Comm School District $50,651 1,074
CAM Comm School District $50,987 1,441
Lone Tree Comm School District $51,115 428

Among enrolling districts (200+ students) with a reliable estimate; service entities excluded, see methodology.

Nationwide states with similar K-12 scale to Iowa

Two nationwide peer sets for Iowa: closest on estimated average teacher salary ($63,660 here) and closest on total student enrollment (504,580 here). Link sets are deduped so each column is a distinct comparison path, not geographic containment.

Similar estimated salary

Nearest other states by unweighted district-mean teacher pay (F-33 derived, ≥5 districts with reliable estimates).

Similar enrollment

Nearest other states by NCES-reported K-12 enrollment. Salary peers above are excluded.

Compare Nearby-Ranked States

South Carolina
$64,775
Rank #27
Colorado
$64,442
Rank #28
Arizona
$63,921
Rank #29
Nebraska
$63,159
Rank #31

Data: NCES CCD F-33 Finance Survey + Staff Universe Survey, FY2023. Salary figures divide instructional expenditure (variable Z33) by each district's reported teacher FTE, or an estimated FTE for the small minority with no reported figure. Not individual salary data. Read our methodology.

Iowa teacher salary FAQ

What is the average teacher salary in Iowa?

Across 303 Iowa public school districts with reliable data, the average teacher salary is $63,660 (NCES CCD F-33 reported teacher salaries divided by CCD Staff Universe Survey teacher headcounts, FY2023). It is a district-level mean derived from finance filings, so it will not match a contract-salary survey exactly, read it as a relative comparison.

Which Iowa school district pays teachers the most?

Linn-Mar Comm School District reports the highest average teacher salary in Iowa at $82,552, while Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn Comm School District sits at the lower end at $47,253.

How does Iowa teacher pay compare to the national average?

Iowa's average of $63,660 is below the national average of $70,245 (-9.4%), ranking #30 of the 49 jurisdictions with a reliable district estimate.

How many school districts are in Iowa?

Iowa has 327 public school districts in the NCES CCD F-33 Finance Survey, together serving 504,580 students.

How much do teachers make in Iowa?

District-average teacher pay in Iowa sits in a comparatively narrow band, from $47,253 in Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn Comm School District to $82,552 in Linn-Mar Comm School District. With that little district-to-district spread the statewide figure is a reasonable guide to what most districts pay. These are district-wide averages from NCES CCD F-33 (FY2023), not individual salaries or pay-scale steps.

Can teachers earn $100,000 in Iowa?

No Iowa district with reliable data reports an estimated average teacher salary at or above $100,000; the state's highest is Linn-Mar Comm School District at $82,552. This is a district-wide average, not an individual salary, step, or years-of-experience figure.

How does Iowa rank after adjusting for cost of living?

Within the separate enrollment-weighted state comparison, BEA's 2023 Regional Price Parity (88.8, US=100) adjusts Iowa's nominal estimate of $67,736 from #31 to $76,306 and #23. The headline uses an unweighted district mean, so this does not replace it. Neither measure is take-home pay, taxes, or district/metro cost of living.

Explore Iowa

Disclaimer & data sources

Data sourced from official public datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainTeacher for Iowa