Secondary School Teachers in Iowa. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
The median Secondary School Teacher in Iowa earned $58,910 in 2024, about 18% below the national median of $72,150. That is a notable gap, and it holds even after accounting for Iowa's lower cost of living.
Iowa's cost-of-living index sits at 89.9, meaning everyday expenses run roughly 10% cheaper than the national baseline. Adjusted for that, the median wage translates to about $65,500 in national-baseline dollars. The gap with the US median narrows to around 9%. Still a discount, but a smaller one than the headline numbers suggest.
The range from bottom to top earners is relatively compressed compared to many other occupations. Teachers at the 10th percentile earned $39,820 in 2024. Those at the 90th percentile earned $76,650. The top earns about 1.9 times what the bottom earns. That is a modest spread, which reflects how teacher pay in most states follows salary schedules tied to years of service and degree level rather than individual negotiation or private-sector market dynamics. The mean ($58,310) actually sits just below the median, a pattern that suggests very few high earners pulling the average up. Pay is distributed fairly evenly within the profession here.
BLS projects employment for Secondary School Teachers nationally will decline 1.6% between 2024 and 2034. Iowa has 11,990 teachers in this role today. A contraction, even a small one, matters more in a state where teaching is already a lower-wage occupation relative to the national figure. Openings will still appear as current teachers retire, but BLS's outlook category for this occupation is decline.
Salary distribution
Where Iowa secondary school teachers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $49,390 and $73,970, with a median of $61,200.
Secondary School Teachers in Iowa: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 34 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $56,163. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 7 | $50,000 |
| Level II — qualified | 9 | $56,916 |
| Level III — experienced | 3 | $63,605 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 2 | $86,639 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Secondary School Teachers in Iowa. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines Independent Community School District | Math Teacher | 5 | $55,332 |
| South Tama County Community School District | Business/Computer Science Teacher | 4 | $55,007 |
| Central City Community School District | Science Teacher | 2 | $57,204 |
| Council Bluffs Community School District | Science Teacher | 2 | $86,639 |
| Ruthven - Ayrshire C.S.D. | Junior High and High School Math Teacher | 2 | $54,225 |
| BCLUW School District | Spanish Teacher | 1 | $50,000 |
| CAM Community School District | High School Spanish Classroom Teacher | 1 | $62,271 |
| Clarke Community School District | High School Science Teacher | 1 | $47,500 |
| Denver Community School District | High School Spanish Teacher | 1 | $63,320 |
| Edgewood-Colesburg Community School District | Teacher | 1 | $58,516 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Math Teacher (grades 7-12) at Netherlands Reformed Christian School$42,570Rock ValleyWage Level IDecided Mar 24, 2026I-200-26076-710257
- High School Science Teacher at South Tama County Community School District$50,000TamaWage Level IIDecided Mar 24, 2026I-200-26076-709724
- High School Spanish Teacher at Kuemper Catholic School System$60,000CarrollWage Level IIDecided Feb 13, 2026I-200-26037-624529
- Physics Teacher at Des Moines Independent Community School District$50,000Des MoinesDecided Jan 30, 2026I-200-26023-583864
- Science Teacher at Des Moines Independent Community School District$58,669Des MoinesDecided Jan 30, 2026I-200-26023-583873
- Math Teacher at Des Moines Independent Community School District$55,332Des MoinesDecided Jan 30, 2026I-200-26023-583861
- Math Teacher at Des Moines Independent Community School District$74,020Des MoinesDecided Jan 30, 2026I-200-26023-583865
- High school English Teacher at Western Christian High School$42,570HullWage Level IDecided Jan 29, 2026I-200-26022-580191
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
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Secondary School Teachers pay by experience level in Iowa
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Secondary School Teachers specialties in Iowa
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 17 certified offers. The most common variant is Science Teacher at a median of $61,137.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Science Teacher | Central City Community School District | 6 | $61,137 |
| High School Spanish Teacher | Denver Community School District | 5 | $60,000 |
| High School Science Teacher | Clarke Community School District | 3 | $50,000 |
| Math Teacher | Des Moines Independent Community School District | 3 | $55,332 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Iowa over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
Internship/residency
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.5 / 5
Education and Training
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
- 4.1 / 5
Instructing
Technical
- 4.1 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Learning Strategies
Cross-functional
- 4.0 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
- 02
Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
- 03
Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate those objectives to students.
- 04
Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
- 05
Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- 06
Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
- 07
Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- 08
Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
-1.6%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Declining
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Secondary School Teachers in Iowa?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Secondary School Teachers in Iowa is $61,200.
- How does Iowa compare to the national median for Secondary School Teachers?
- The Iowa median is -17.9% versus the BLS national figure of $74,587.
- What is the salary range for Secondary School Teachers in Iowa?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $47,480 and the 90th-percentile at $79,270, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Secondary School Teachers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment declining by -1.6% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Secondary School Teachers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.