Do icu nurses or med-surg nurses earn more in Iowa?

In Iowa, icu nurses earn more — an estimated $88,070 a year versus $78,630 for med-surg nurses, a gap of about $9,440 (roughly 12% more). Both are estimates: public wage data does not report these roles separately, so each starts from reported Iowa pay for the closest reported role.

How much is the icu nurse vs med-surg nurse pay gap in Iowa?

The estimated gap in Iowa is about $9,440 a year, or roughly 12% more for icu nurses. Your actual pay depends on experience, specialty, shift, and employer — use the calculator to compare both for your situation.

Are these Iowa figures exact?

No — they're estimates, not separately reported wages. Public wage data doesn't break out every nursing role, so where it doesn't, we start from reported Iowa pay for the closest reported role and adjust. Treat those as a ballpark.

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.

Iowa · IA

ICU Nurse vs Med-Surg Nurse salary in Iowa

In Iowa, icu nurses earn more — an estimated $88,070 a year versus $78,630 for med-surg nurses, a gap of about $9,440 (roughly 12% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for Iowa.

ICU Nurse — Iowa

Specialty estimate

Median annual pay

$88,070

-19% vs national

Hourly

$42.34/hr

Median $88,070

$71,500Middle 50%: $76,480–$96,250$112,560

Typical range: $76,480–$96,250; What most nurses earn
High end: $112,560; Top earners
Entry level: $71,500; Newer nurses

Med-Surg Nurse — Iowa

Specialty estimate

Median annual pay

$78,630

-19% vs national

Hourly

$37.80/hr

Median $78,630

$63,840Middle 50%: $68,290–$85,940$100,500

Typical range: $68,290–$85,940; What most nurses earn
High end: $100,500; Top earners
Entry level: $63,840; Newer nurses

Why the gap in Iowa

ICU nurses are modeled to earn slightly more than med-surg nurses, though both roles are built on the same RN license and wage base. The edge reflects the ICU's higher patient acuity, lower nurse-to-patient ratios, and critical-care certifications such as the CCRN. The Iowa figures apply the same local pay adjustment to both roles, so the gap here mirrors the national picture, shifted for Iowa's cost of labor. Actual pay varies with experience, specialty, shift, and employer — compare the national ICU Nurse vs Med-Surg Nurse comparison or personalize the calculator.

ICU Nurse vs Med-Surg Nurse in Iowa — FAQ

Do icu nurses or med-surg nurses earn more in Iowa?: In Iowa, icu nurses earn more — an estimated $88,070 a year versus $78,630 for med-surg nurses, a gap of about $9,440 (roughly 12% more). Both are estimates: public wage data does not report these roles separately, so each starts from reported Iowa pay for the closest reported role.
How much is the icu nurse vs med-surg nurse pay gap in Iowa?: The estimated gap in Iowa is about $9,440 a year, or roughly 12% more for icu nurses. Your actual pay depends on experience, specialty, shift, and employer — use the calculator to compare both for your situation.
Are these Iowa figures exact?: No — they're estimates, not separately reported wages. Public wage data doesn't break out every nursing role, so where it doesn't, we start from reported Iowa pay for the closest reported role and adjust. Treat those as a ballpark.
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 ICU 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 1.12× specialty adjustment.

Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 17, 2026. Full methodology

Estimated figures for Iowa. Last reviewed July 17, 2026.