Online Forensic Accounting Degree in Iowa: Salary, Schools & Outlook (2026)
Quick answer: Iowa employs about 13,210 accountants and auditors (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing runs through your state board of accountancy for current CPA requirements. Programs, the careers this degree opens, and what they pay are below.
Compare forensic accounting programs enrolling now:
Licensing and Credentials in Iowa
Forensic accounting is practiced under the accounting profession’s credentials. CPA licensure is state-regulated and the degree alone does not confer it; widely recognized industry certifications in fraud examination exist alongside it and employers genuinely vary in the weight they give them.
Requirements are set at state level and are amended periodically. Before you enroll in any program, confirm with your state board of accountancy for current CPA requirements that the specific program you are considering satisfies the education requirement, and ask what it accepts from any training you have already completed. Get the answer in writing.
Earning the Degree While You Work
Most people reading this already have a job in the field, and the practical question is whether the credential can be earned without leaving it. Programs designed for working adults deliver the academic portion online or in the evening, while any labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience happen in person and locally. Prior college credit, military training, apprenticeship coursework and industry certifications can all shorten the path, so request a written transfer credit evaluation before you commit to any school.
Schools Near You
Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.
We do not have campus-based schools on record for this exact area right now. School availability changes as programs open and close, and many programs in this field enroll online - see the main program page for options that are not tied to your location. Know a school we missed? Tell us.
What Accountants and Auditors Earn in Iowa
Accountants and Auditors in Iowa earn a median $77,440 per year, below the national median of $83,680 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Forensic Accounting Pay and Employment in Iowa at a Glance
| Metric | Iowa | National | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $77,440 | $83,680 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 10th percentile | $51,420 | $56,020 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 25th percentile | $62,090 | $67,020 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 75th percentile | $98,150 | $109,810 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 90th percentile | $123,700 | $144,090 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Employment | 13,210 | 1,449,500 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Location quotient | 0.91 | 1.00 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Projected change (2024-34) | not published by state | 4.6% | BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34 |
How Iowa Pay Compares to the Rest of the Country
The Iowa median of $77,440 sits below the national median of $83,680 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Percentiles matter more than the midpoint when you are deciding whether a degree pays for itself: the 10th percentile is roughly where people start, and the 90th is what the top of the local market looks like after years of experience.
A location quotient of 0.91 puts Iowa slightly below the national average, so the occupation is a little less common here than in the typical state (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The measure compares how concentrated the occupation is here against the national average of 1.00.
Where the Jobs Are in Iowa
| Metro area | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Ames | $79,320 | 530 |
| Des Moines | $79,290 | 4,850 |
| Sioux City | $78,650 | 520 |
| Davenport | $77,600 | 1,560 |
| Cedar Rapids | $77,180 | 1,190 |
| Iowa City | $75,100 | 790 |
| Dubuque | $74,140 | 450 |
| Waterloo | $73,530 | 540 |
Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Investigation-adjacent accounting work concentrates where corporate headquarters, government agencies and large audit practices are based.
Accountants and Auditors Wages by Metro Area in Iowa
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), accountants and auditors wages in Iowa vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | 5,170 | $77,030 | $81,840 | $53,120 | $119,820 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | 4,850 | $79,290 | $87,250 | $56,390 | $128,130 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | 1,560 | $77,600 | $83,400 | $49,850 | $126,750 |
| Cedar Rapids | 1,190 | $77,180 | $83,680 | $53,070 | $124,610 |
| Iowa City | 790 | $75,100 | $79,560 | $50,330 | $115,830 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | 540 | $73,530 | $80,970 | $48,610 | $122,140 |
| Ames | 530 | $79,320 | $84,740 | $52,370 | $126,450 |
| Sioux City | 520 | $78,650 | $83,650 | $56,100 | $120,500 |
| Dubuque | 450 | $74,140 | $79,580 | $50,800 | $118,130 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
All Iowa Metro Areas With Published Data
Ames * Cedar Rapids * Davenport * Des Moines * Dubuque * Iowa City * Sioux City * Waterloo
Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do accountants and auditors make in Iowa?
The median annual wage for accountants and auditors in Iowa is $77,440, below the national median of $83,680 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle of the range runs from $62,090 at the 25th percentile to $98,150 at the 75th.
How many accountants and auditors work in Iowa?
Iowa holds about 13,210 accountant jobs (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Nationally the occupation employs 1,449,500, and BLS projects about 124,200 openings per year through 2034 (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).
Do I need a license to work as a accountant in Iowa?
Forensic accounting is practiced under the accounting profession's credentials. CPA licensure is state-regulated and the degree alone does not confer it; widely recognized industry certifications in fraud examination exist alongside it and employers genuinely vary in the weight they give them. Requirements are set at the state level and change periodically, so confirm the current rules with your state board of accountancy for current CPA requirements before you enroll in any program.
Can I earn a forensic accounting bachelor's or master's online while working in Iowa?
Often yes. Programs built for working adults deliver coursework online or in the evenings, though any required labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience are completed in person. Confirm that the program's accreditation satisfies your state board of accountancy for current CPA requirements.
What is the highest-paying area of Iowa for accountants and auditors?
Among Iowa metro areas with published data, Ames reports the highest median at $79,320 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Is Iowa a good state for accountants and auditors?
On pay, the state median of $77,440 sits below the national $83,680 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A location quotient of 0.91 means the occupation is less concentrated here than in the average state. Weigh that against cost of living and how concentrated the work is near where you actually want to live.
Related Guides
- Forensic Accounting programs and how to choose one - the national guide to this degree
- Bookkeeper career profile - the trade career this degree path builds on
- All online degree paths for tradespeople
- Trade careers that require a 4-year degree
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Accountants and Auditors (SOC 13-2011), national, state and metropolitan estimates
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.