Administrative assistant salary in Iowa
The median administrative assistant in Iowa earns $45,150 a year, or $21.71 an hour, in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2025 survey. That is 5% below the national median of $47,540, and 35th of the 54 states and territories BLS publishes.
The middle half of Iowa’s 12,830 administrative assistants earn between $38,040 and $51,070. The highest paying metro area in the state is Ames, IA, at $48,740.
Liaison does the routine half of an administrative assistant’s job for 12% of what one costs in Iowa. See how.
Administrative assistant salary by city in Iowa
Every metro area in Iowa where BLS publishes a median for administrative assistants, 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 | $48,740 | $23.44 | $39,210 to $55,370 | 620 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $47,760 | $22.96 | $42,890 to $57,200 | 7,090 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $47,500 | $22.84 | $39,990 to $55,810 | 3,110 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $46,230 | $22.22 | $38,870 to $52,480 | 720 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $45,950 | $22.09 | $38,040 to $51,910 | 640 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $45,710 | $21.97 | $37,810 to $53,200 | 1,670 |
| Dubuque, IA | $45,430 | $21.84 | $38,670 to $54,220 | 440 |
| Iowa City, IA | $45,390 | $21.82 | $37,900 to $57,910 | 630 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $45,110 | $21.69 | $38,900 to $50,560 | 1,290 |
What an administrative assistant 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 administrative assistant at the Iowa median costs about $61,000 a year. The employer’s view for every state and metro is on what an administrative assistant costs, and the routine part of the job is what Liaison does inside the tools a business already runs.
The routine half of an administrative assistant’s job, for 12% of what one costs in Iowa.
- Answers the routine email in your voice, from your own inbox, and files what needs filing.
- Books, reschedules and confirms appointments from your own calendar.
- Keeps the records straight across the inbox, the CRM and the calendar, so nothing is typed twice.
Professional is $629 a month, $7,548 a year, against about $61,000 a year for an administrative assistant 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 office manager.
Questions
How much does an administrative assistant make in Iowa?
The median administrative assistant in Iowa earned $45,150 a year, or $21.71 an hour, in May 2025. The middle half earned between $38,040 and $51,070. Nationally the median is $47,540, so Iowa pays 5% less than the country as a whole.
Which cities in Iowa pay administrative assistants the most?
Ames, IA ($48,740), Omaha, NE-IA ($47,760) and Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA ($47,500).
What does an administrative assistant cost an employer in Iowa?
Benefits at employers with fewer than 50 workers add 35% on top of wages, so an administrative assistant at the Iowa median costs about $61,000 a year. The employer’s view is at useliaison.com/back-office-costs/administrative-assistant.
Administrative assistant salary in other states
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, occupation 43-6014. 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.