Cost of an employee in Iowa
For a new employer in Iowa, payroll taxes on a $50,000 salary come to about $4,071 a year (8.1% of wages). Add workers' comp and benefits below to see the full cost.
Cost of an employee in Iowa
Workers' comp rates depend on your job class and insurer; enter your quoted rate. Results are estimates for one full-year employee and exclude local taxes.
Rates used
- Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500; Medicare 1.45% (employer shares, 2026)
- FUTA 0.6% on the first $7,000
- Iowa SUTA: 1% new-employer rate on the first $20,400. Iowa payroll taxes
Running payroll in Iowa?
Sources
- US Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (Significant Provisions of State UI Laws, July 2026) · data as of July 1, 2026 · last checked October 9, 2026
- Internal Revenue Service, Publication 15 (Circular E), 2026 · data as of January 1, 2026 · last checked October 9, 2026
We copy figures from official sources and re-check them against the source before every update. See our methodology. This is general information, not legal advice.