How much does a Physician make in Iowa?

BLS puts the average Physician pay in Iowa at $279,120 a year (BLS, May 2025). On that pay in Iowa, after federal taxes, FICA, and Iowa state taxes, your estimated take-home pay is approximately $192,141 annually ($16,012/month).

What is the take-home pay for a Physician in Iowa?

On a $279,120 salary in Iowa, your take-home pay is approximately $192,141/year or $16,012/month. Federal tax: $60,826. State tax: $9,955. FICA: $16,198.

Is $279,120 a good Physician salary?

$279,120 is the BLS average Physician pay in Iowa, 9% above the US average of $255,820 (BLS, May 2025). The middle 50% in Iowa earn between $207,410 and $351,300.

How do Iowa taxes affect Physician salaries?

Iowa levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $279,120 is $9,955. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 31.2%.

What are the career growth prospects for Physicians?

In Iowa, the top 10% earn over $460,230 and the bottom 10% under $116,900 (BLS, May 2025). 3% growth through 2032 (about as fast as average). Related roles include: Family Doctor, Internist, Specialist, Surgeon, Hospitalist.

How can a Physician in Iowa reduce their tax bill?

Maximize your 401(k) contribution ($24,500 in 2026) to reduce taxable income. An HSA ($4,400 single / $8,750 family) adds further pre-tax savings. These strategies can save thousands annually — use our calculator to see your exact savings.

Healthcare

Physician Salary in Iowa (2026)

Average Physician pay in Iowa

$279,120/year

≈ $134/hour before tax

Middle 50% earn $207,410–$351,300

US average: $255,820

Source: BLS, May 2025 · Family Medicine Physicians

After tax (single filer)

$192,141/year

$16,012/month · effective tax rate 31.16%

Federal $60,826
State $9,955
FICA $16,198
Take-home

Pay by role in Iowa

Senior Specialist (Holden Cancer / Cardiology / UIHC)$385,000–$785,000+ bonus
Senior Hospitalist (UnityPoint / MercyOne)$245,000–$385,000+ bonus
Senior PCP (UnityPoint / MercyOne / FQHC)$215,000–$315,000+ bonus
Senior Pediatrician (Stead Family Children)$215,000–$345,000+ bonus
Senior Emergency Medicine$275,000–$445,000+ bonus
Senior Trauma Surgeon (UIHC Level 1)$425,000–$825,000+ bonus

See all 10 roles with notes

See the full tax breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$192,141
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$16,012
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$7,390
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$92/hr
Federal Tax	$60,826
State Tax	$9,955
FICA Taxes	$16,198
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	31.16%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

Not all Physicians earn the same — not even close

Iowa's physician market is anchored by University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics UIHC Iowa City (the only IA Level 1 adult trauma + only IA Comprehensive Stroke Center + the only IA NCI-designated cancer center via Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center + Stead Family Childrens Hospital UIHC pediatric + UI Carver College of Medicine only IA MD-granting institution + the substantial UIHC Magnet designation + ~12K UIHC employees), UnityPoint Health (largest IA-HQ multi-state health system + UnityPoint Methodist Des Moines + UnityPoint St Luke Cedar Rapids + UnityPoint Allen Waterloo + UnityPoint Trinity Quad Cities + ~30K + multi-state IA + IL + WI), MercyOne (Trinity Health Catholic + MercyOne Des Moines + MercyOne Cedar Rapids + MercyOne Waterloo + MercyOne Sioux City), Genesis Health System Davenport + Mercy Iowa City, plus the substantial IA NP FPA since 2016 affecting physician supervision economics.

Senior Specialist (Holden Cancer / Cardiology / UIHC)

$385,000–$785,000+ bonus

Holden Cancer NCI specialist + UIHC cardiology · the only IA AMC

Senior Hospitalist (UnityPoint / MercyOne)

$245,000–$385,000+ bonus

UnityPoint Methodist Des Moines + MercyOne + UIHC hospitalist

Senior PCP (UnityPoint / MercyOne / FQHC)

$215,000–$315,000+ bonus

Primary care at UnityPoint + MercyOne + IA FQHC community health

Senior Pediatrician (Stead Family Children)

$215,000–$345,000+ bonus

Stead Family Childrens Hospital UIHC · the substantial IA pediatric referral

Senior Emergency Medicine

$275,000–$445,000+ bonus

UIHC Level 1 + UnityPoint + MercyOne + IA community ED · EM physician band

Senior Trauma Surgeon (UIHC Level 1)

$425,000–$825,000+ bonus

UIHC · the only IA Level 1 trauma + Burn Center

Senior Radiologist

$445,000–$815,000+ bonus

Radiology at UIHC + UnityPoint + MercyOne + the substantial IA teleradiology

Senior Federal Civilian (VA Iowa City / Des Moines)

$245,000–$385,000

VA Iowa City + VA Central Iowa Des Moines + Hutchinson NP + IHS · federal civilian

Mid-Career Physician (5-10 yrs post-residency)

$255,000–$425,000

Specialty physician 5-10 yrs · transitioning to senior partnership

Resident / Fellow

$62,000–$85,000

UIHC + UnityPoint + MercyOne residency · the only IA GME at UIHC

Worth knowing: University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics UIHC + Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of the country's distinctive concentrated US single-state academic medical center + NCI anchor and a feature most national physician surveys understate for IA. UIHC (only IA Level 1 adult trauma + only IA Comprehensive Stroke Center + the only IA NCI-designated cancer center via Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center + Stead Family Childrens Hospital pediatric + UI Carver College of Medicine only IA MD-granting institution + the substantial UIHC Magnet designation + ~12K UIHC employees + the substantial UIHC post-2017 UI Stead Family $100M+ pediatric naming + the substantial UIHC Iowa City Center for Advanced Reproductive Care + the substantial UIHC organ transplant) supports substantial IA physician work. Senior UIHC specialists clear $385-825K+ bonus. UnityPoint Health (largest IA-HQ multi-state health system + the substantial UnityPoint post-2010 Iowa Health System rebrand + UnityPoint Methodist Des Moines + UnityPoint St Luke Cedar Rapids + UnityPoint Allen Waterloo + UnityPoint Trinity Quad Cities Bettendorf + ~30K + the substantial UnityPoint multi-state IA + IL + WI) + MercyOne Trinity Health (Catholic + MercyOne Des Moines + Cedar Rapids + Waterloo + Sioux City) supports substantial IA physician practice. Genesis Health Davenport + Mercy Iowa City + VA Iowa City + VA Central Iowa Des Moines federal civilian. IA NP FPA since 2016 affects physician supervision economics. IA flat 3.8% + IA RTW since 1947 + IA inheritance tax repealed Jan 1 2025 + IA property tax ~1.50% anchor the IA physician proposition.

Sources & Methodology

Salary figures are market estimates for Physicians in Iowa and vary by employer, specialty, seniority, and metro. Take-home math assumes a single filer with no dependents, the standard deduction, and Iowa 2026 state rates. Local taxes, insurance premiums, and pre-tax contributions will move your number — run the calculator for your own situation.

Run your own numbers