How much does a Physician make in Iowa?

The average Physician salary in Iowa is around $270,000 per year. After federal taxes, FICA, and Iowa state taxes, your estimated take-home pay is approximately $186,664 annually ($15,555/month).

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

On a $270,000 salary in Iowa, your take-home pay is approximately $186,664/year or $15,555/month. Federal tax: $57,704. State tax: $9,648. FICA: $0.00.

Is $270,000 a good Physician salary?

$270,000 is a strong salary for a Physician — above the national median. In Iowa, demand for this role is active.

How do Iowa taxes affect Physician salaries?

Iowa levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $270,000 is $9,648. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 30.9%.

What are the career growth prospects for Physicians?

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)

The average Physician in Iowa earns around $270,000/year. After taxes, your estimated take-home is $186,664/year ($15,555/month).

Take-Home Pay Breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$186,664
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$15,555
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$7,179
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$90/hr
Federal Tax	$57,704
State Tax	$9,648
FICA Taxes	$15,984
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	30.87%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

Want to model 401(k), HSA, or pre-tax contributions against your full salary? Open the salary calculator →

Got a year-end bonus, sign-on, or retention payout? See the bonus calculator →

1099 contract work or side gigs? Self-employment tax adds 15.3% on top. Open the 1099 tax calculator →

Selling appreciated assets (stocks, real estate, crypto)? LTCG, NIIT, and state cap-gains all matter. Open the capital-gains calculator →

Key terms:···

Physician Salary Ranges in Iowa

Entry Level (0–3 yrs)

$195,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Mid Level (3–7 yrs)

$270,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Senior Level (7+ yrs)

$425,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

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.