Council Bluffs Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Council Bluffs, IA: $19.66/hr median hourly wage, $40,890 median annual salary, cost of living index 85.2, and $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Iowa taxes.
Council Bluffs Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Council Bluffs, IA is $19.66/hr, equivalent to $40,890 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $12.19/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $27.92/hr, and the local minimum wage is $7.25/hr.
Median Salary
$40,890
$19.66/hr
Cost of Living
85.2
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
3.3%
rate
Council Bluffs, IA Overview
Population
62,230
Median Salary
$40,890
Average Salary
$45,797
Avg Commute
20 min
Median Home Price
$165,000
Median Rent
$691/mo
Job Growth
+2.1%
Sales Tax
6%
Council Bluffs is located in Iowa with a population of 62,230. The median household salary is $40,890 per year ($19.66/hour), which is $18,494 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 20 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.1%.
Council Bluffs Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Council Bluffs, IA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $40,890 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $25,352 | $12.19/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $40,890 | $19.66/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $58,064 | $27.92/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $72,784 | $34.99/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Council Bluffs Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Council Bluffs, IA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$32,704
$2,725.37/month · $1,257.86/biweekly · Effective Rate: 20.0%
Gross Pay
$40,890
Federal Tax
-$2,727
State Tax
-$2,331
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$3,128
Net Pay
$32,704
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $3,407.50 | $40,890.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$227.23 | -$2,726.80 |
| Iowa State Tax (5.7%) | -$194.23 | -$2,330.73 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$211.27 | -$2,535.18 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$49.41 | -$592.91 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $2,725.37 | $32,704.39 |
Salary Comparison: Council Bluffs vs Other Cities
See how Council Bluffs's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council Bluffs, IA | $40,890 | 85.2 | $47,993 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Corvallis, OR | $40,886 | 108.5 | $37,683 |
| Dubuque, IA | $40,886 | 85.5 | $47,820 |
| Bossier City, LA | $40,898 | 87.8 | $46,581 |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | $40,879 | 105.2 | $38,858 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Council Bluffs
Council Bluffs's cost of living index is 85.2 (national average = 100). Living in Council Bluffs is 14.799999999999997% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$165,000
Median Monthly Rent
$691
Annual Rent Cost
$8,292
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $32,704 annual take-home pay in Council Bluffs has the purchasing power of approximately $38,385 in an average-cost US area. Your $40,890 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Council Bluffs
Council Bluffs's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $40,890.
Salary Tips for Council Bluffs Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Council Bluffs has a cost of living 14.799999999999997% below the national average. A salary of $40,890 here has the purchasing power of about $47,993 in an average-cost area.
- Maximize pre-tax deductions. With a 5.7% state income tax rate, maximizing 401(k) contributions (up to $24,500 in 2026) and HSA contributions can significantly reduce both your federal and state tax burden.
- Research top industries. Council Bluffs's top industries include Agriculture, Manufacturing, Insurance. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $40,890 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Council Bluffs salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Council Bluffs-IA metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Council Bluffs indexed at 85.2.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Council Bluffs's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $40,890 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Iowa state income tax (5.7%) (no local income tax), sales tax (6%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Council Bluffs: 3.3%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Agriculture, Manufacturing, Insurance — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.1% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Iowa.
- Housing context: median home price $165,000, median rent $691/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Council Bluffs, IA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Council Bluffs unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Council Bluffs QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Iowa — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Council Bluffs's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Iowa labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly wage in Council Bluffs, IA?
The median hourly wage in Council Bluffs, IA is $19.66 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $40,890 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $12.19/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $27.92/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Council Bluffs, IA?
The median salary in Council Bluffs, IA is $40,890 per year, or $19.66 per hour. The average salary is $45,797. This is $18,494 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Council Bluffs, IA?
Council Bluffs's cost of living index is 85.2 (national average = 100), meaning it is 14.799999999999997% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $165,000 and the median monthly rent is $691.
What are the best industries in Council Bluffs?
The top industries in Council Bluffs, IA include Agriculture, Manufacturing, Insurance. The city has a job growth rate of 2.1% and an unemployment rate of 3.3%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $40,890.
How does Council Bluffs's salary compare to other cities?
Council Bluffs's median salary of $40,890 is 31.1% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 85.2), the real purchasing power is approximately $47,993.
What is the minimum wage in Council Bluffs, IA?
The minimum wage in Council Bluffs, IA is $7.25 per hour. This equals approximately $15,080 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This matches the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.