Healthcare Social Worker salary in Iowa
Healthcare Social Workers in Iowa earn a median of $63,050 a year ($30.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,550 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,360 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $67,880. Iowa ranks 34th of 51 states for healthcare social workers pay. There are 0.99 healthcare social workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $63,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for healthcare social workers in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,140 | $22.19 |
| 25th percentile | $51,170 | $24.60 |
| Median | $63,050 | $30.31 |
| 75th percentile | $74,320 | $35.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,360 | $38.63 |
| Average (mean) | $63,560 | $30.56 |
Half of healthcare social workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,254.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,627.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,425 |
| Weekly | $1,212.50 |
| Hourly | $30.31 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $63,050 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Healthcare Social Worker salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA | $67,820 | 160 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $65,450 | 50 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $63,360 | 510 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $62,400 | 130 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $62,360 | 400 |
| Dubuque, IA | $62,240 | 60 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $61,980 | 100 |
| Ames, IA | $61,760 | 30 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $58,920 | 150 |
Highest-paying states for healthcare social workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $94,100 |
| California | $89,660 |
| Hawaii | $85,420 |
| Oregon | $84,350 |
| New Jersey | $82,690 |
| Vermont | $81,140 |
| Connecticut | $79,900 |
| Washington | $78,570 |
| Nevada | $78,470 |
| New Hampshire | $78,260 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $42,480 | $20.42 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $56,540 | $27.18 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $60,880 | $29.27 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $52,250 | $25.12 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $39,630 | $19.05 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $48,530 | $23.33 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $77,390 | $37.21 |
| Health Education Specialist | $75,750 | $36.42 |
| Community Health Worker | $47,780 | $22.97 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $46,460 | $22.34 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $67,180 | $32.30 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $91,170 | $43.83 |
| Counselors, All Other | $61,080 | $29.36 |
| Clergy | $60,630 | $29.15 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 21-1022. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a healthcare social worker make in Iowa?
The median salary for healthcare social workers in Iowa is $63,050 a year, or $30.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid healthcare social workers make in Iowa?
The top 10% of healthcare social workers in Iowa earn at least $80,360 a year. The top 25% earn $74,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for healthcare social workers in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,140 a year, and a quarter of healthcare social workers earn $51,170 or less.
How many healthcare social workers work in Iowa?
About 1,550 healthcare social workers are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.