Creative & Education Iowa City, IA Pop. 74,828

Teacher (K-12) Salary in Iowa City, Iowa

The median teacher (k-12) salary in Iowa City, IA is $58,606 per year, which is 5% below the national median and 6.7% above the Iowa state average.

City Median
$58,606
vs State Avg
+$3,702
vs National
$-3,084
Cost of Living
95%

Teacher (K-12) Pay in Iowa City: What to Expect (2026)

Iowa City offers a median teacher (k-12) salary of $58,606, which is $3,702 above the Iowa state average of $54,904. Compared to the national median of $61,690, Iowa City pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Iowa City's cost of living is 95% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for teacher (k-12)s in Iowa City spans from $39,330 at the 10th percentile to $95,950 at the 90th percentile — a $56,620 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $39,900, while senior teacher (k-12)s with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $87,400. Iowa City is a smaller market (pop. 74,828), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Teacher (K-12) Salary in Iowa City by Experience

In Iowa City, an entry-level teacher (k-12) earns around $39,900, while experienced professionals earn up to $87,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$39,900
$-2,100 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$58,900
$-3,100 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$87,400
$-4,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Iowa City, IA

Percentile Iowa City
10th Percentile $39,330
25th Percentile $46,360
Median (50th) $58,606
75th Percentile $75,240
90th Percentile $95,950

Teacher (K-12) Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Des Moines, IA
$56,755
Pop. 214,133
Cedar Rapids, IA
$54,287
Pop. 137,710
Davenport, IA
$53,053
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$51,820
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Teacher (K-12) in Iowa City

Education

Most teacher (k-12) positions require a bachelor's degree. Iowa City and the surrounding Iowa area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Lesson PlanningClassroom ManagementAssessmentDifferentiated InstructionCommunicationEducational Technology

Job Outlook

Nationally, teacher (k-12) employment is projected to grow 1% over the next decade (slower than average). Demand in Iowa City may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Teacher (K-12) Jobs in Iowa City

Browse open teacher (k-12) positions in Iowa City, IA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Teacher (K-12) Salary in Iowa City

How much does a Teacher (K-12) make in Iowa City, IA? ▼
The median teacher (k-12) salary in Iowa City, Iowa is $58,606 per year, which is 5% below the national median of $61,690. Salaries range from $39,330 (10th percentile) to $95,950 (90th percentile).
How much does a Teacher (K-12) make per hour in Iowa City? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $58,606, a teacher (k-12) in Iowa City earns approximately $28 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Iowa City compare to the Iowa state average for teacher (k-12) pay? ▼
Iowa City's median teacher (k-12) salary of $58,606 is 6.7% above the Iowa state average of $54,904. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Iowa City, IA? ▼
Iowa City has a cost of living index of 95% compared to the national average. This means a teacher (k-12) salary of $58,606 in Iowa City has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a teacher (k-12) in Iowa City? ▼
Most teacher (k-12) positions in Iowa City require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Lesson Planning, Classroom Management, Assessment, Differentiated Instruction. The job market is projected to grow 1% nationally over the next decade.