Executive assistant salary in Iowa
The median executive assistant in Iowa earns $62,340 a year, or $29.97 an hour, in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2025 survey. That is 19% below the national median of $76,590, and 38th of the 54 states and territories BLS publishes.
The middle half of Iowa’s 4,150 executive assistants earn between $51,450 and $71,390. The highest paying metro area in the state is Omaha, NE-IA, at $68,240.
Liaison does the routine half of an executive assistant’s job for 9% of what one costs in Iowa. See how.
Executive assistant salary by city in Iowa
Every metro area in Iowa where BLS publishes a median for executive 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $68,240 | $32.81 | $56,960 to $79,840 | 990 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $64,990 | $31.25 | $54,980 to $77,180 | 1,740 |
| Iowa City, IA | $62,740 | $30.16 | $51,450 to $67,320 | 430 |
| Ames, IA | $61,990 | $29.80 | $50,990 to $73,270 | 140 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $60,670 | $29.17 | $49,260 to $72,100 | 120 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $60,420 | $29.05 | $49,090 to $74,750 | 340 |
| Dubuque, IA | $60,360 | $29.02 | $50,030 to $75,900 | 110 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $59,770 | $28.74 | $49,330 to $71,200 | 170 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $57,500 | $27.64 | $46,750 to $66,710 | 360 |
What an executive 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 executive assistant at the Iowa median costs about $84,200 a year. The employer’s view for every state and metro is on what an executive 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 executive assistant’s job, for 9% of what one costs in Iowa.
- Runs the calendar: books, moves and confirms, and writes the brief before each meeting.
- Drafts the replies and follow-ups in your voice, from your own inbox, and sends the ones you have approved.
- Pulls the numbers and the open threads into one morning note.
Professional is $629 a month, $7,548 a year, against about $84,200 a year for an executive 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 executive assistant.
Questions
How much does an executive assistant make in Iowa?
The median executive assistant in Iowa earned $62,340 a year, or $29.97 an hour, in May 2025. The middle half earned between $51,450 and $71,390. Nationally the median is $76,590, so Iowa pays 19% less than the country as a whole.
Which cities in Iowa pay executive assistants the most?
Omaha, NE-IA ($68,240), Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA ($64,990) and Iowa City, IA ($62,740).
What does an executive assistant cost an employer in Iowa?
Benefits at employers with fewer than 50 workers add 35% on top of wages, so an executive assistant at the Iowa median costs about $84,200 a year. The employer’s view is at useliaison.com/back-office-costs/executive-assistant.
Executive assistant salary in other states
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, occupation 43-6011. Annual figures assume 2,080 hours a year. Updated 2026-10-02.
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