Social and Human Service Assistants salary in Iowa
Social and Human Service Assistants in Iowa earn a median of $42,480 a year ($20.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,230 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,780 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $45,930. Iowa ranks 30th of 51 states for social and human service assistants pay. There are 3.4 social and human service assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $44,430, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for social and human service assistants in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,060 | $15.90 |
| 25th percentile | $36,710 | $17.65 |
| Median | $42,480 | $20.42 |
| 75th percentile | $48,050 | $23.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,780 | $29.22 |
| Average (mean) | $44,430 | $21.36 |
Half of social and human service 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 | $3,540 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,770 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,633.85 |
| Weekly | $816.92 |
| Hourly | $20.42 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $42,480 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Social and Human Service Assistants salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $45,760 | 1,370 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $44,250 | 160 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $41,650 | 280 |
| Dubuque, IA | $41,030 | 160 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $40,510 | 770 |
| Iowa City, IA | $39,940 | 430 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $39,790 | 510 |
| Ames, IA | $38,240 | 180 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $37,490 | 700 |
Highest-paying states for social and human service assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $59,460 |
| Washington | $54,770 |
| Oregon | $51,230 |
| California | $51,090 |
| Minnesota | $49,940 |
| New Jersey | $48,420 |
| Rhode Island | $47,720 |
| Maine | $47,710 |
| Colorado | $47,690 |
| Idaho | $47,540 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $63,050 | $30.31 |
| 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 21-1093. 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 social and human service assistants make in Iowa?
The median salary for social and human service assistants in Iowa is $42,480 a year, or $20.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid social and human service assistants make in Iowa?
The top 10% of social and human service assistants in Iowa earn at least $60,780 a year. The top 25% earn $48,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for social and human service assistants in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,060 a year, and a quarter of social and human service assistants earn $36,710 or less.
How many social and human service assistants work in Iowa?
About 5,230 social and human service assistants are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.