Accountant salary in Iowa
The median accountant in Iowa earns $77,440 a year, or $37.23 an hour, in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2025 survey. That is 7% below the national median of $83,680, and 37th of the 54 states and territories BLS publishes.
The middle half of Iowa’s 13,210 accountants earn between $62,090 and $98,150. The highest paying metro area in the state is Ames, IA, at $79,320.
Liaison does the routine half of an accountant’s job for 7% of what one costs in Iowa. See how.
Accountant salary by city in Iowa
Every metro area in Iowa where BLS publishes a median for accountants, highest first. A metro that crosses a state line appears under each of its states.
| Metro area | Median annual | Median hourly | Middle half earns | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | $79,320 | $38.14 | $62,960 to $98,100 | 530 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $79,290 | $38.12 | $64,450 to $102,330 | 4,850 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $78,650 | $37.81 | $64,530 to $97,250 | 520 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $77,600 | $37.31 | $61,580 to $101,300 | 1,560 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $77,180 | $37.11 | $61,260 to $96,920 | 1,190 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $77,030 | $37.03 | $62,920 to $94,990 | 5,170 |
| Iowa City, IA | $75,100 | $36.11 | $63,190 to $96,260 | 790 |
| Dubuque, IA | $74,140 | $35.65 | $61,160 to $91,110 | 450 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $73,530 | $35.35 | $59,790 to $94,330 | 540 |
What an accountant costs an employer in Iowa
Wages are the start. At employers with fewer than 50 workers, benefits add 35% on top (BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation), so an accountant at the Iowa median costs about $104,500 a year. The employer’s view for every state and metro is on what an accountant costs, and the routine part of the job is what Liaison does inside the tools a business already runs.
The routine half of an accountant’s job, for 7% of what one costs in Iowa.
- Codes the bills, reconciles the processors against the deposits and flags what does not match.
- Prepares month-end: duplicates, missing receipts, payroll cross-checks, the reconciliation notes.
- Chases receivables in your voice and forecasts cash from how each customer actually pays.
Professional is $629 a month, $7,548 a year, against about $104,500 a year for an accountant at the Iowa median once benefits are added. On Professional we connect your tools, bring your data in and set up the first rules with you. Anything that moves money waits for your yes.
“Cut our month-end close from 4 days to 4 hours.” Marcus C., owner
$629 a month, or $500 a month on a 12-month term. Prefer to start on your own? Starter is $149 a month, self-serve, with a free trial first: 7 days, no card. More: AI bookkeeper.
Questions
How much does an accountant make in Iowa?
The median accountant in Iowa earned $77,440 a year, or $37.23 an hour, in May 2025. The middle half earned between $62,090 and $98,150. Nationally the median is $83,680, so Iowa pays 7% less than the country as a whole.
Which cities in Iowa pay accountants the most?
Ames, IA ($79,320), Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA ($79,290) and Sioux City, IA-NE-SD ($78,650).
What does an accountant cost an employer in Iowa?
Benefits at employers with fewer than 50 workers add 35% on top of wages, so an accountant at the Iowa median costs about $104,500 a year. The employer’s view is at useliaison.com/back-office-costs/accountant.
Accountant salary in other states
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, occupation 13-2011. Annual figures assume 2,080 hours a year. Updated 2026-10-02.
See it on your own business.
Thirty minutes with us, on your own tools. Bring the thing that eats your evenings and watch it get handled from your own inbox, calendar and books.
Professional is $629 a month and we set it up with you. Starter is $149 a month, self-serve, with the free trial first: 7 days, no card. Every plan is on the pricing page.