Physician Assistant salary in Iowa City, IA
Physician Assistants in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn a median of $134,770 a year ($64.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $114,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $174,080 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $135,880. Pay here is about the same as the Iowa statewide median of $134,770. There are 2.4 physician assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $142,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physician assistants in Iowa City, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $114,490 | $55.04 |
| 25th percentile | $134,770 | $64.79 |
| Median | $134,770 | $64.79 |
| 75th percentile | $164,420 | $79.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $174,080 | $83.69 |
| Average (mean) | $142,700 | $68.61 |
Half of physician assistants 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 | $11,230.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,615.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,183.46 |
| Weekly | $2,591.73 |
| Hourly | $64.79 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $134,770 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Physician Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $137,420 | 110 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $134,130 | 720 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $133,830 | 340 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $132,880 | 60 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $130,970 | 70 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $129,680 | 80 |
| Dubuque, IA | $126,050 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for physician assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $165,690 |
| California | $165,650 |
| Washington | $164,360 |
| Hawaii | $164,050 |
| New York | $160,880 |
| Oregon | $155,780 |
| New Hampshire | $150,960 |
| Alaska | $150,700 |
| Vermont | $150,490 |
| Massachusetts | $142,410 |
See Physician Assistant pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Iowa City, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $85,940 | $41.32 |
| Physicians, All Other | $257,340 | $123.72 |
| Pharmacist | $142,530 | $68.53 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,030 | $62.04 |
| Physical Therapist | $94,480 | $45.42 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $86,880 | $41.77 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $75,110 | $36.11 |
| Dental Hygienist | $92,020 | $44.24 |
| Chiropractor | $77,970 | $37.49 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $82,590 | $39.71 |
| Occupational Therapist | $91,560 | $44.02 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $78,960 | $37.96 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $65,420 | $31.45 |
| Dentists, General | $199,410 | $95.87 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Iowa City, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1071. 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 physician assistant make in Iowa City, IA?
The median salary for physician assistants in the Iowa City, IA metro area is $134,770 a year, or $64.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $114,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $174,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physician assistants make in Iowa City, IA?
The top 10% of physician assistants in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn at least $174,080 a year. The top 25% earn $164,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for physician assistants in Iowa City, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $114,490 a year, and a quarter of physician assistants earn $134,770 or less.
How many physician assistants work in Iowa City, IA?
About 230 physician assistants are employed in the Iowa City, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.