If you live—or want to live—in the wide-open spaces of Iowa, and are interesting in pursuing a remote work lifestyle, check out this article for the latest information on Iowa Remote Work Resources.
About Iowa
Nicknamed the “Hawkeye State,” Iowa is a land of vast, rolling prairies sandwiched between two of America’s greatest rivers—the Missouri and the Mississippi. Perhaps best known for appearances in The Bridges of Madison County and A Field of Dreams, there is more in Iowa to appreciate than picturesque covered bridges, endless cornfields, and an obsession with baseball. Residents also enjoy affordable housing and full employment. There are few traffic problems, a great education system, and bacon lovers will be happy to hear that Iowa is the country’s largest supplier of pork.
“I am proud to have been born in Iowa. Through the eyes of a ten-year-old boy, it was a place of adventure and daily discoveries – the wonder of the growing crops, the excitements of the harvest, the journeys to the woods for nuts and hunting, the joys of snowy winters, the comfort of the family fireside, of good food and tender care.” – Herbert Hoover, 31st U.S. President
Five Fast Facts about Working in Iowa
Iowa’s unemployment rate ended 2019 at 2.6 percent, with the 7th lowest unemployment rate in the United States.
Although almost 30% of Iowans live in communities of less than 10,000 residents, research indicates that these communities are slowly shrinking, contributing to the so-called ‘rural brain drain’ effect.
The mean hourly wage in Iowa is $22.19 and the annual salary is $46,150, lower than the national averages of $24.98 and $51,960 respectively. Even with a slow-growing workforce combined with record low unemployment, wages are growing at a rate lower than the national average of 3.8%.
By location, wages in Scott County are growing at the fastest rate in Iowa at 3%. Statewide, real average hourly earnings for production and non-supervisory employees increased by only 1.7 percent in 2019.
Remote Work Incentives in Iowa
Despite record-low unemployment levels and a continuous movement of young people to larger urban centers, there are currently no incentives offered by the state or any municipalities to recruit people to move there specifically to work remotely. This is partly due to a shortage of workers for onsite positions in industries such as manufacturing, retail, and hospitality.
The state does have a variety of housing grants and initiatives and they signed a new tax cut into law in 2018. One municipal project in Newton designed to encourage population growth and new housing starts offers a $10,000 grant to new homeowners. In addition, several large companies are also looking into incentive plans to attract new workers.
While the state does not offer incentives, it does recognize the benefits of telecommuting and offers government employees the opportunity to telecommute with management approval.
Remote-Enabled Companies with Hubs in Iowa
After extensive research, the team at Virtual Vocations has identified the following companies as some of the best organizations in Iowa to find remote work opportunities.
ACT, Inc.
ACT, Inc. is a non-profit company with a mission to help people succeed in education and the workplace. Designed to measure what students learn in high school to determine college readiness, the ACT test is the leading US admissions test. Located in Iowa City, Iowa, this remote-friendly company offers many telecommute job options for all types of professionals.
Collins Aerospace
Collins Aerospace is an avionics and information technology systems company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, but with major operations in Cedar Rapids. They serve government agencies and aircraft manufacturers as a major supplier of in-flight entertainment.
Connections Academy (IACA)
The Iowa branch of Connections Academy (IACA) is a full-time, public virtual school serving students throughout Iowa in grades K–12. They hire licensed teachers to fill online education jobs. Some of their positions require travel.
Cottingham & Butler
Cottingham & Butler is an insurance company with headquarters in Dubuque, Iowa. The firm provides a wide range of insurance options in addition to claims adjusting, human resources, and safety consulting services.
MindCare Solutions Group
MindCare Solutions Group is a healthcare company that specializes in behavioral health teletherapy services. Licensed healthcare providers improve the mental health of their clients while reducing overall medical spending. While the company offers positions to qualified psychiatric health practitioners nationwide, there are multiple opportunities for job seekers in Iowa as many positions require state licenses.
Principal Financial Service, Inc.
One of the top employers in Iowa, Principal Financial Services, Inc. is a global financial investment management and insurance company headquartered in Des Moines. They help individuals and companies to build financial well-being by providing retirement, insurance, and asset management solutions.
Upper Iowa University
Upper Iowa University is a private, non-profit higher education institution that delivers high-quality education with affordable tuition rates, recognized for its excellent programs in business and liberal arts
VocoVision
VocoVision offers therapy and educational services for children using mobile and online applications to provide access to specialized professionals regardless of location or disability. Although headquartered in Skokie, Illinois, the company fills positions for multiple school districts in Iowa that require state licensing and residence.
Iowa Coworking Centers for Remote Work
Hooking up with a good coworking center can make all the difference when you move to a new area or if you are just getting started with a remote work lifestyle. They will provide all the practical necessities for effective telecommuting, as well as networking opportunities and, if you’re lucky, programs to help you get established. Most coworking spaces are subscription-based, so you can choose the level of service you need. Whether that’s a dedicated office space or a “hot desk” for dropping in, coworking spaces provide solutions you need. Many also offer a virtual receptionist and mail services as well. If you’re not sure about membership, coworking centers will usually offer a tour and guest pass so you can check it out before you commit. Below is a shortlist of Iowa’s popular coworking spaces.
You’ll find even more Iowa remote work resources and stats in our infographic below! You may also view the Iowa Remote Work Resources Infographic as a PDF, which will allow you to access the URLs hyperlinked throughout the image as well as the links attached to the Virtual Vocations logo and social media icons.
How Virtual Vocations Can Assist You in Your Iowa Remote Job Search
If you’re looking to ditch the rat race and head for the wide-open prairies in Iowa, Virtual Vocations is your first stop to find high-quality remote jobs in the “Hawkeye” State. If you already work in Iowa and want to take advantage of the low-unemployment and upward pressure on wages, Virtual Vocations can help you research potential employers with profiles of telecommute-friendly companies that are headquartered or have hubs in Iowa. You can learn all about our services in our How Virtual Vocations Works blog post.
Are you searching for an Iowa remote job, or are you a current Iowan remote worker? Share your story when you connect with Virtual Vocations on Facebook and Twitter. We’d love to know your thoughts about our Iowa telecommuting job resources!
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