How much does a Psychologist make in Iowa?

BLS puts the average Psychologist pay in Iowa at $104,130 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 $78,780 annually ($6,565/month).

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

On a $104,130 salary in Iowa, your take-home pay is approximately $78,780/year or $6,565/month. Federal tax: $14,079. State tax: $3,305. FICA: $7,966.

Is $104,130 a good Psychologist salary?

$104,130 is the BLS average Psychologist pay in Iowa, 8% below the US average of $112,750 (BLS, May 2025). The middle 50% in Iowa earn between $74,990 and $129,970.

How do Iowa taxes affect Psychologist salaries?

Iowa levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $104,130 is $3,305. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 24.3%.

What are the career growth prospects for Psychologists?

In Iowa, the top 10% earn over $168,660 and the bottom 10% under $64,200 (BLS, May 2025). 6% growth through 2032 (faster than average). Related roles include: Clinical Psychologist, Counseling Psychologist, School Psychologist, Neuropsychologist.

How can a Psychologist 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

Psychologist Salary in Iowa (2026)

Average Psychologist pay in Iowa

$104,130/year

≈ $50/hour before tax

Middle 50% earn $74,990–$129,970

US average: $112,750

Source: BLS, May 2025

After tax (single filer)

$78,780/year

$6,565/month · effective tax rate 24.34%

Federal $14,079
State $3,305
FICA $7,966
Take-home

Pay by role in Iowa

Senior Prescribing Psychologist (IA RxP)$155,000–$258,000+ bonus
Senior Clinical PhD (UI Carver Med / UIHC)$118,000–$185,000+ bonus
Senior PhD Independent Practice$108,000–$195,000+ profit
Senior Clinical PhD (UnityPoint Behavioral)$98,000–$148,000+ bonus
Senior Clinical PhD (MercyOne / Genesis)$95,000–$142,000+ bonus
Senior Clinical PhD (Drake / ISU / Coe)$82,000–$125,000

See all 10 roles with notes

See the full tax breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$78,780
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$6,565
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$3,030
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$38/hr
Federal Tax	$14,079
State Tax	$3,305
FICA Taxes	$7,966
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	24.34%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

Not all Psychologists earn the same — not even close

Iowa's psychology market is anchored by IA RxP psychologist prescribing authority since 2016 (HF 645 of 2016 — fourth US RxP state after NM 2002 + LA 2004 + IL 2014 + IA 2016, before ID 2017 + CO 2023), University of Iowa Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences Iowa City (the only IA public clinical PhD-granting institution + APA-accredited + the substantial UI clinical psychology), Iowa State University Department of Psychology Ames (APA-accredited counseling PhD), Drake University Des Moines + Grinnell College + Coe College, UnityPoint Health Behavioral Health (the substantial UnityPoint multi-state behavioral health + telepsychology + community mental health), MercyOne Behavioral Health (Trinity Health Catholic behavioral), UI Carver College of Medicine Department of Psychiatry, Iowa Department of Human Services + the substantial IA forensic + civil commitment + Iowa Medical and Classification Center Oakdale, plus PsyPact since 2020 enabling multi-state telepsychology mobility.

Senior Prescribing Psychologist (IA RxP)

$155,000–$258,000+ bonus

IA RxP psychologist prescribing since 2016 · the fourth US RxP state · substantial IA Rx authority

Senior Clinical PhD (UI Carver Med / UIHC)

$118,000–$185,000+ bonus

UI Carver College of Medicine + UIHC · the only IA AMC + Stead Family Childrens psych

Senior PhD Independent Practice

$108,000–$195,000+ profit

Independent PhD practice · psychotherapy + assessment + the substantial IA cash-pay + insurance

Senior Clinical PhD (UnityPoint Behavioral)

$98,000–$148,000+ bonus

UnityPoint Behavioral Health · multi-state telepsychology + community mental health

Senior Clinical PhD (MercyOne / Genesis)

$95,000–$142,000+ bonus

MercyOne + Genesis Davenport · Trinity Health behavioral + Catholic mental health

Senior Clinical PhD (Drake / ISU / Coe)

$82,000–$125,000

Drake + ISU + Grinnell + Coe + Wartburg + Loras · undergraduate counseling + training

Senior Neuropsychologist

$125,000–$195,000+ bonus

Neuropsychology at UIHC + UnityPoint + UI Department of Psych + private practice

Senior Forensic Psychologist (IA Med Class Oakdale)

$108,000–$165,000+ retainer

Iowa Medical and Classification Center Oakdale + IA Courts · forensic + custody + criminal

Senior Federal Civilian (VA Iowa City)

$108,000–$165,000

VA Iowa City Health Care System + VA Central Iowa · GS-13/14 federal civilian

Postdoc / Early Career

$58,000–$78,000

APA postdoc · UIHC + UnityPoint + UI Department of Psych postdoc pipeline

Worth knowing: Iowa RxP psychologist prescribing authority since 2016 + Iowa as the fourth US RxP state is one of the country's distinctive concentrated US single-state psychologist prescribing economic anchor and a feature most national psychology surveys understate for IA. IA RxP (HF 645 of 2016 + Iowa Board of Psychology rules + the substantial Iowa RxP-credentialed prescribing psychologists since 2016 making IA the fourth US state to grant psychologists prescribing authority after NM 2002 + LA 2004 + IL 2014 + IA 2016, before ID 2017 + CO 2023 + the substantial Iowa Conditional Prescription Certificate to Practitioner CPCP + Full Prescription Certificate to Practitioner FPCP + the substantial Iowa psychiatric prescribing access in IA rural psychiatric shortage areas + the substantial post-2016 Iowa RxP expansion of prescribing psychologists addressing IA psychiatrist shortage) supports distinctive IA prescribing psychologist economics. Senior IA RxP prescribing psychologists clear $155-258K+ bonus and integrate psychotherapy with medication management. University of Iowa Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences + ISU + Drake + Grinnell + UI Carver College of Medicine + the substantial UnityPoint + MercyOne + the substantial IA forensic + Iowa Medical and Classification Center Oakdale + VA Iowa City. IA PsyPact since 2020 supports multi-state telepsychology. IA flat 3.8% + IA RTW since 1947 + IA inheritance tax repealed Jan 1 2025 anchor the IA psychology proposition.

Sources & Methodology

Salary figures are market estimates for Psychologists 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