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Psychiatrists Salary in Iowa: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Psychiatrists salary really buy you in Iowa?

Iowa is 11.6% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$295,270
Median annual (2025)
+13.1%
Real Purchasing Power
$334,015
COL-adjusted (RPP=88.4)

Iowa Cost of Living Index

Iowa's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 88.4, meaning prices are 11.6% lower the national average. A Psychiatrists earning $295,270 in Iowa has the equivalent purchasing power of $334,015 in an average-cost US state.

IA: 88.4
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

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) $77,320 $87,466 +$10,146
25th Percentile (P25) $151,560 $171,447 +$19,887
Median (P50) $295,270 $334,015 +$38,745
75th Percentile (P75) $360,900 $408,257 +$47,357
90th Percentile (P90) $427,810 $483,947 +$56,137
Key Insight

A Psychiatrists in Iowa earns $295,270 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 13% further — like earning $334,015 in an average-cost state. This makes Iowa one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Iowa Runs Well Below National Cost

RPP 88.4

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 Psychiatrists, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.

Sizable COL Effect Reshapes This Salary

+13.1%

Adjusting $295,270 for Iowa's cost of living yields $334,016 — 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.

Top-Quartile Adjusted Earnings in Iowa

#6 / 46

Ranked on COL-adjusted median pay for Psychiatrists, Iowa places #6 of 46 states — top quartile. Either nominal wages run high, cost of living runs low, or both.

Best States for Psychiatrists (After Cost of Living)

Where does Psychiatrists salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$380,838
RPP 90.6
$358,689
RPP 92.3
$344,329
RPP 97.7
$343,227
RPP 91.1
5. Alaska
$335,460
RPP 102.0
6. Iowa
$334,015
RPP 88.4
7. Utah
$317,111
RPP 94.5
$314,222
RPP 112.5
$312,473
RPP 93.4
10. Florida
$309,696
RPP 102.1

Iowa ranks #6 out of 46 states for Psychiatrists after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Psychiatrists take-home pay in Iowa after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Psychiatrists in Iowa after cost of living?

A Psychiatrists in Iowa earns a median salary of $295,270 per year. After adjusting for Iowa's cost of living (RPP=88.4), the real purchasing power is $334,015 — a +13.1% difference.

Is Iowa expensive to live in?

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).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

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.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Psychiatrists in Iowa: $295,270 x (100 / 88.4) = $334,015. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Psychiatrists in Iowa financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Psychiatrists 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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