How much does a Surgeon make in Iowa?

The average Surgeon salary in Iowa is around $540,000 per year. After federal taxes, FICA, and Iowa state taxes, your estimated take-home pay is approximately $345,629 annually ($28,802/month).

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

On a $540,000 salary in Iowa, your take-home pay is approximately $345,629/year or $28,802/month. Federal tax: $152,134. State tax: $19,908. FICA: $0.00.

Is $540,000 a good Surgeon salary?

$540,000 is a strong salary for a Surgeon — above the national median. In Iowa, demand for this role is active.

How do Iowa taxes affect Surgeon salaries?

Iowa levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $540,000 is $19,908. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 36.0%.

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)

The average Surgeon in Iowa earns around $540,000/year. After taxes, your estimated take-home is $345,629/year ($28,802/month).

Take-Home Pay Breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$345,629
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$28,802
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$13,293
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$166/hr
Federal Tax	$152,134
State Tax	$19,908
FICA Taxes	$22,329
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	35.99%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

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Key terms:···

Surgeon Salary Ranges in Iowa

Entry Level (0–3 yrs)

$410,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Mid Level (3–7 yrs)

$540,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Senior Level (7+ yrs)

$950,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

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.