Iowa (IA) H-1B Visa & Salary Data
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An automated macro-level review of Iowa's tech ecosystem.Iowa Market Grade
Companies in Iowa filed 324 work visa applications. With strong salaries and processing metrics, this state earns the H1B Index Grade of B.
New Job Creation
Instead of just transferring existing workers around, Iowa actively adds fresh jobs. A solid 81.0% of approved visas went to completely new hires.
State Taxes & Expenses
Before moving to Iowa for a $100,838 salary, professionals must evaluate real expenses. After the 5.0% state tax and living costs, true purchasing power equals roughly $95,796.
High Approval Chances
Employers in Iowa enjoy a strong 97.1% visa approval rate. On top of that, businesses here applied for 96 Green Cards to keep their international staff long-term.
Focus on Senior Talent
The corporate ecosystem here leans distinctly toward advanced skill sets. A substantial 38.6% of all visa applications secure top-tier, fully competent professional workers.
Main Employment Hub
If you are moving to Iowa, Cedar Rapids is the most active city for securing a work visa. Overall, the Professional, Scientific, and Tech Services industry provides the majority of these positions.
State Taxation & Purchasing Power
Adjusting the median salary for local cost of living and state taxes.State Employment Meta
Top Metro Hubs in Iowa
The primary cities driving visa volume and tech salaries.Talent Sourcing Pipeline
Are companies hiring fresh talent or poaching from competitors?State Wage Premium
On average, employers in Iowa offer salaries that are $6,052 higher than the baseline prevailing wage required by the Department of Labor.
Volume by Metro Area
Total applications filed across the top 15 cities.Dominant Industries
Distribution of cases by broad industry sector.O*NET Wage Level Distribution
Experience requirements matched against pay tiers across the state.| O*NET Wage Level | LCA Volume | Median Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 74 | $66,747 |
| Level II (Qualified) | 110 | $96,764 |
| Level III (Experienced) | 59 | $116,189 |
| Level IV (Fully Competent) | 66 | $133,494 |
Third-Party End Clients
Where consultants are deployed.Top Law Firms
Leading legal counsel for state visas.Visa Volume & Success
LCA approvals, denials, and overall certification rates.Median Wage Trajectory
The median state salaries of all tech jobs over time.Green Card Sponsorships
PERM residency applications and median GC wages.Noticing a difference in dates? Salary metrics reflect real-time DOL filings, while approval metrics rely on finalized USCIS historical data. View timelines
Complete Employers Matrix
A detailed ledger of all corporate clients operating in Iowa.Complete Jobs Matrix
The job titles most frequently sponsored in this state.Complete Metros Matrix
Data ledger of all cities in Iowa.| City/Metro Area | LCA Count | Median Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | 44 | $116,189 |
| West Des Moines | 43 | $106,122 |
| Des Moines | 39 | $117,412 |
| Iowa City | 38 | $78,336 |
| Ames | 25 | $81,120 |
| Johnston | 19 | $100,838 |
| Urbandale | 12 | $100,838 |
| Waukee | 12 | $124,074 |
| Davenport | 10 | $85,301 |
| Bettendorf | 9 | $112,715 |
| Ankeny | 7 | $124,100 |
| Waterloo | 6 | $188,240 |
| Pella | 4 | $97,843 |
| Cedar Falls | 3 | $104,000 |
| Fort Dodge | 3 | $135,000 |
| Fairfield | 3 | $32,490 |
| Sioux City | 3 | $72,010 |
| Dubuque | 3 | $64,000 |
| Altoona | 3 | $130,000 |
| Charles City | 2 | $77,657 |
| Coralville | 2 | $312,972 |
| Muscatine | 2 | $95,000 |
| New London, | 2 | $66,747 |
| Wapello, | 2 | $66,747 |
| Rock Valley | 2 | $62,712 |
| Oskaloosa | 2 | $53,009 |
| Grimes | 2 | $123,984 |
| Keosauqua | 2 | $98,161 |
| Forest City | 2 | $86,260 |
| Donnellson, | 2 | $66,747 |
| Denver | 1 | $63,320 |
| Clarion | 1 | $104,562 |
| Clinton | 1 | $120,000 |
| Clive | 1 | $71,376 |
| Estherville | 1 | $68,744 |
| Des Monies | 1 | $119,662 |
| Fayette | 1 | $54,746 |
| Hiawatha | 1 | $180,003 |
| Knoxville | 1 | $60,195 |
| Irving | 1 | $135,907 |
| Guttenberg | 1 | $55,786 |
| Manning | 1 | $54,766 |
| Shenandoah | 1 | $66,165 |
| New Hampton | 1 | $55,600 |
| Tripoli | 1 | $33,280 |
| Storm Lake | 1 | $59,730 |
Historical Compensation Ledger
Year-over-year salary data comparing historical averages.| Fiscal Year | Maximum | Median | Average | Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $511,786 | $98,883 | $96,882 | $26 |
| 2025 | $800,000 | $90,189 | $102,523 | $13 |
| 2024 | $775,000 | $87,000 | $100,033 | $12 |
| 2023 | $750,000 | $86,108 | $98,010 | $15 |
| 2022 | $725,000 | $84,718 | $92,843 | $12 |
| 2021 | $750,000 | $84,760 | $88,987 | $19 |
| 2020 | $725,000 | $80,750 | $86,441 | $10 |
| 2019 | $500,000 | $77,087 | $81,311 | $23 |
| 2018 | $725,000 | $75,000 | $80,226 | $13 |
| 2017 | $719,944 | $68,584 | $77,620 | $8 |
| 2016 | $640,000 | $65,000 | $73,360 | $12 |
Recent Visa Filings (FY 2026)
Raw, unedited federal disclosures processed in this state.State Intelligence (FAQ)
Common questions and insights regarding Iowa.Is it easy to get Green Card sponsorship in Iowa?
Local companies sponsored 96 workers for Green Cards recently. This represents a solid 29.6% long-term commitment rate.
Where do professionals make the most money in Iowa?
Currently, Cedar Rapids operates as the most lucrative market in Iowa, offering professionals a median wage of $116,189.
What type of companies sponsor the most visas in Iowa?
The highest volume of job offers originates from the Professional, Scientific, and Tech Services industry, which accounts for 40.7% of the state's total sponsorships.
What is the tax rate on a professional salary in Iowa?
Based on local tax brackets (5.0%), an employee earning the $100,838 median will see around $5,042 withheld for state-level taxes.