The invention discloses a method for synthesizing aromatic carboxylic ester by carbonylation of aryl iodide. The method comprises: iodobenzene and derivatives of the iodobenzene, straight chain alcohol of C1 to C4 or phenolic compound and carbon monoxide are used as reactants to react in the presence of active carbon loaded palladium as a catalyst, an auxiliary catalyst and reaction solvent at 80 to 140 DEG C under a pressure of the carbon monoxide of between 0.1 and 2.5MPa for 0.5 to 8 hours, and obtaining the finished product. The method is highly efficient, economical and environment friendly, and has quite good industrial application prospect.