How much does a Surgeon make in Iowa?

BLS puts the average Surgeon pay in Iowa at $488,900 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 $315,596 annually ($26,300/month).

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

On a $488,900 salary in Iowa, your take-home pay is approximately $315,596/year or $26,300/month. Federal tax: $134,249. State tax: $17,926. FICA: $21,128.

Is $488,900 a good Surgeon salary?

$488,900 is the BLS average Surgeon pay in Iowa, 31% above the US average of $373,930 (BLS, May 2025). The middle 50% in Iowa earn between $235,980 and $657,190.

How do Iowa taxes affect Surgeon salaries?

Iowa levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $488,900 is $17,926. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 35.4%.

What are the career growth prospects for Surgeons?

3% growth projected 2022-2032 (slower than average) overall — but specific subspecialties (cardiothoracic, neurosurgery, plastic, transplant, pediatric subspecialty) face severe shortage with 8-15 year supply lag from training pipeline. Aging Boomer demographic = sustained surgical volume through 2035+. AI/robotics augment but do not replace operative judgment in the 10-year window. Related roles include: Anesthesiologist, Orthopedic Surgeon, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Neurosurgeon, Plastic Surgeon, Vascular Surgeon, General Surgeon, Trauma Surgeon, Transplant Surgeon, Pediatric Surgical Subspecialist, Surgical Oncologist.

How can a Surgeon 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

Surgeon Salary in Iowa (2026)

Average Surgeon pay in Iowa

$488,900/year

≈ $235/hour before tax

Middle 50% earn $235,980–$657,190

US average: $373,930

Source: BLS, May 2025 · Surgeons, All Other

After tax (single filer)

$315,596/year

$26,300/month · effective tax rate 35.45%

Federal $134,249
State $17,926
FICA $21,128
Take-home

Pay by role in Iowa

Senior Trauma Surgeon (UIHC Level 1)$485,000–$985,000+ bonus
Senior Surgical Oncologist (Holden Cancer)$485,000–$895,000+ bonus
Senior Cardiac Surgeon (UIHC / UnityPoint)$565,000–$1,225,000+ bonus
Senior Orthopedic Surgeon$555,000–$1,150,000+ bonus
Senior Neurosurgeon (UIHC)$625,000–$1,385,000+ bonus
Senior Pediatric Surgeon (Stead Family)$445,000–$815,000+ bonus

See all 10 roles with notes

See the full tax breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$315,596
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$26,300
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$12,138
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$152/hr
Federal Tax	$134,249
State Tax	$17,926
FICA Taxes	$21,128
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	35.45%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

Not all Surgeons earn the same — not even close

Iowa's surgical 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 surgical oncology + Stead Family Childrens Hospital pediatric surgery + UIHC Heart + Vascular Center cardiac + thoracic + vascular + UI Burn Treatment Center + UIHC Organ Transplant Center), UnityPoint Health surgical centers (UnityPoint Methodist Des Moines + UnityPoint St Luke Cedar Rapids + UnityPoint Allen Waterloo + UnityPoint Trinity Quad Cities + the substantial UnityPoint multi-state IA + IL + WI surgical network), MercyOne Trinity Health (MercyOne Des Moines + Cedar Rapids + Waterloo + Sioux City Catholic surgical), Genesis Health Davenport + Mercy Iowa City + the substantial IA private surgical practice, plus the substantial UI Carver College of Medicine surgical residency.

Senior Trauma Surgeon (UIHC Level 1)

$485,000–$985,000+ bonus

UIHC · the only IA Level 1 + Burn Center · 24/7 trauma call

Senior Surgical Oncologist (Holden Cancer)

$485,000–$895,000+ bonus

Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center · the only IA NCI surgical oncology

Senior Cardiac Surgeon (UIHC / UnityPoint)

$565,000–$1,225,000+ bonus

UIHC Heart + Vascular + UnityPoint Methodist + MercyOne · cardiac + thoracic

Senior Orthopedic Surgeon

$555,000–$1,150,000+ bonus

IA private practice ortho + UIHC + UnityPoint + the substantial IA Big Ten football ortho

Senior Neurosurgeon (UIHC)

$625,000–$1,385,000+ bonus

UIHC · adult + pediatric neurosurgery + the only IA Comprehensive Stroke

Senior Pediatric Surgeon (Stead Family)

$445,000–$815,000+ bonus

Stead Family Childrens Hospital UIHC · pediatric general + transplant + congenital

Senior General Surgeon

$385,000–$675,000+ bonus

IA general surgery + UnityPoint + MercyOne + Genesis + private practice

Senior Plastic Surgeon (Private)

$485,000–$1,075,000+ bonus

Private practice plastic surgery · the substantial IA cosmetic + reconstructive

Mid-Career Surgeon (5-10 yrs post-fellowship)

$365,000–$625,000

Specialty surgeon 5-10 yrs · transitioning to senior partnership

Surgical Resident / Fellow

$64,000–$88,000

UIHC Surgery residency · the only IA GME + UnityPoint + MercyOne fellowship

Worth knowing: UIHC + the only IA Level 1 trauma + Burn Treatment Center + Holden Cancer surgical oncology + Stead Family Childrens pediatric surgery is one of the country's distinctive concentrated US single-state surgical anchor and a feature most national surgeon surveys understate for IA. UIHC surgical (the only IA Level 1 adult trauma + only IA Comprehensive Stroke Center + UI Burn Treatment Center + the only IA NCI-designated Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center surgical oncology + Stead Family Childrens Hospital pediatric general + transplant + congenital surgery + UIHC Heart + Vascular Center cardiac + thoracic + vascular + UIHC Organ Transplant Center + the substantial UIHC Magnet designation + ~12K UIHC employees + the substantial UIHC ~750+ beds + the substantial UIHC Iowa City regional referral) supports substantial IA senior surgical work. Senior UIHC trauma + Holden surgical oncology + cardiac + neurosurgery clear $485K-$1.385M+ bonus. UnityPoint Health surgical network (UnityPoint Methodist Des Moines + UnityPoint St Luke Cedar Rapids + UnityPoint Allen Waterloo + UnityPoint Trinity Quad Cities + UnityPoint multi-state IA + IL + WI surgical network) + MercyOne Trinity Health Catholic surgical (Des Moines + Cedar Rapids + Waterloo + Sioux City) + Genesis Health Davenport + Mercy Iowa City supports broad IA surgical. IA flat 3.8% + IA RTW since 1947 + IA inheritance tax repealed Jan 1 2025 anchor the IA surgical proposition.

Sources & Methodology

Salary figures are market estimates for Surgeons 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