Correctional Nurse salary in Iowa
A correctional nurse in Iowa earns an estimated $80,200 a year ($38.56/hr) — about 19% below the U.S. average, with most between $69,660 and $87,660. State figures are estimates based on national pay for the role and local cost of living — a starting point, not a guaranteed local wage.
Correctional Nurse — Iowa
Specialty estimateMedian annual pay
$80,200
-19% vs nationalHourly
$38.56/hr
- Typical range
- $69,660–$87,660
- What most nurses earn
- High end
- $102,510
- Top earners
- Entry level
- $65,120
- Newer nurses
Correctional Nurse pay by city in Iowa
Estimated pay in the state's largest metro areas.
| City | Est. annual | Est. hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | $80,200 | $38.56 |
Correctional Nurse pay in nearby-paying states
How Iowa compares to states with similar correctional nurse pay.
Other nursing roles in Iowa
Compare estimated pay for related roles in this state.
What affects correctional nurse pay in Iowa
Lower pay; low cost of living. For a correctional nurse specifically, pay is shaped by the metro labor market, hospital vs clinic vs long-term-care setting, union presence, shift differentials, unit acuity, and years of experience. Certifications and a move into charge or advanced-practice roles raise pay further. Use the calculator to estimate your own.
How this estimate was calculated
Public wage data does not report Correctional Nurse separately. This figure starts from the wage the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics published for Registered Nurse in Iowa (May 2025) and applies a 1.02× specialty adjustment.
Local pay can vary well beyond this by specialty, shift, union status, employer type, overtime, and care setting. Treat it as a starting point — not an official Iowa wage.
Source year: 2025. Based on the national figure of $99,500 for this role.
Use this state estimate as a starting point
- It’s a starting point for Iowa, based on national pay and local pay levels — not a guaranteed local wage.
- Your actual pay shifts with role and specialty, care setting, shift, overtime, union status, and years of experience — so compare a role-specific page and personalize the calculator.
- Reviewed salary submissions from nurses in Iowa make this page more precise over time.
Correctional Nurse salary in Iowa — FAQ
- How much does a correctional nurse make in Iowa?
- A correctional nurse in Iowa earns an estimated $80,200 a year — about $38.56 an hour, with most between $69,660 and $87,660. That's about 19% below the national average. This is an estimate based on national pay for the role and Iowa's local pay level, not a guaranteed local wage.
- Is Iowa a good state for correctional nurses?
- For pay, Iowa sits about 19% below the national average for correctional nurses. A higher number often comes with a higher cost of living, so weigh the estimated $80,200 against local housing and expenses rather than the headline figure alone.
- Which city in Iowa pays correctional nurses the most?
- Among Iowa metros we track, Des Moines tends to have the highest estimated pay for correctional nurses, at roughly $80,200 a year. City figures are estimates based on the role's national pay and local cost of living.
- How does Iowa correctional nurse pay compare to the national average?
- The national estimate for a correctional nurse is about $99,500 a year, versus an estimated $80,200 in Iowa — about 19% below the national average. Use the calculator to factor in your experience, specialty, and shift.
- Why are some figures verified and others estimates?
- National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.
Source & confidence— An estimate for a specialty that public pay data does not list on its own. A ballpark to start from, not an exact figure.
Modeled specialty estimate (BLS state wage × specialty adjustment)
Public wage data does not report Correctional Nurse separately. This figure starts from the wage the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics published for Registered Nurse in Iowa (May 2025) and applies a 1.02× specialty adjustment.
Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 17, 2026. Full methodology
Estimated figure — national correctional nurse pay adjusted for Iowa. Last reviewed July 17, 2026.