Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
What does a Interpreters and Translators salary really buy you in Iowa?
Iowa is 11.6% cheaper than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19
Iowa's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 88.4, meaning prices are 11.6% lower the national average. A Interpreters and Translators earning $48,150 in Iowa has the equivalent purchasing power of $54,468 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Iowa's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $34,330 | $38,834 | +$4,504 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $40,450 | $45,757 | +$5,307 |
| Median (P50) | $48,150 | $54,468 | +$6,318 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $53,620 | $60,656 | +$7,036 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $67,290 | $76,119 | +$8,829 |
A Interpreters and Translators in Iowa earns $48,150 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 13% further — like earning $54,468 in an average-cost state. This makes Iowa one of the best value states for this occupation.
Iowa's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 88.4 means a basket of goods and services costs about 11.6% less than the national average. For a Interpreters and Translators, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.
Adjusting $48,150 for Iowa's cost of living yields $54,468 — a 13.1% gain in real purchasing power. This magnitude usually reflects either a materially cheaper or materially pricier metro mix than the national average.
Iowa's rank of #31 of 47 states means real purchasing power for Interpreters and Translators trails the national half-way line.
Where does Interpreters and Translators salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Iowa ranks #31 out of 47 states for Interpreters and Translators after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Interpreters and Translators take-home pay in Iowa after taxes →
A Interpreters and Translators in Iowa earns a median salary of $48,150 per year. After adjusting for Iowa's cost of living (RPP=88.4), the real purchasing power is $54,468 — a +13.1% difference.
Iowa's cost of living is 11.6% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Iowa is 88.4 (US average = 100).
Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Interpreters and Translators in Iowa: $48,150 x (100 / 88.4) = $54,468. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Interpreters and Translators in Iowa enjoys 13.1% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.
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