Labor & Delivery Nurse salary in Iowa
A labor & delivery nurse in Iowa earns an estimated $87,890 a year ($42.25/hr) — about 15% below the U.S. average, with most between $72,380 and $101,230. State figures are estimates based on national pay for the role and local cost of living — a starting point, not a guaranteed local wage.
Labor & Delivery Nurse — Iowa
Specialty estimateMedian annual pay
$87,890
-15% vs nationalHourly
$42.25/hr
- Typical range
- $72,380–$101,230
- What most nurses earn
- High end
- $123,860
- Top earners
- Entry level
- $62,110
- Newer nurses
Labor & Delivery Nurse pay by city in Iowa
Estimated pay in the state's largest metro areas.
| City | Est. annual | Est. hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | $90,990 | $43.75 |
Labor & Delivery Nurse pay in nearby-paying states
How Iowa compares to states with similar labor & delivery nurse pay.
Other nursing roles in Iowa
Compare estimated pay for related roles in this state.
What affects labor & delivery nurse pay in Iowa
Lower pay; low cost of living. For a labor & delivery 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
The Iowa figure adjusts the national RN average of $103,400 for local pay levels — a factor of 0.85× (about 15% below the U.S. average). It is a starting point — not an official Iowa wage — until verified local figures and nurse submissions are loaded.
Local pay can vary well beyond this by specialty, shift, union status, employer type, overtime, and care setting. When official state wage data is loaded, this number updates to a verified value automatically.
Use this state estimate as a starting point
- It’s a starting point for Iowa, based on national pay and local cost of living until official state data is loaded — 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.
Labor & Delivery Nurse salary in Iowa — FAQ
- How much does a labor & delivery nurse make in Iowa?
- A labor & delivery nurse in Iowa earns an estimated $87,890 a year — about $42.25 an hour, with most between $72,380 and $101,230. That's about 15% 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 labor & delivery nurses?
- For pay, Iowa sits about 15% below the national average for labor & delivery nurses. A higher number often comes with a higher cost of living, so weigh the estimated $87,890 against local housing and expenses rather than the headline figure alone.
- Which city in Iowa pays labor & delivery nurses the most?
- Among Iowa metros we track, Des Moines tends to have the highest estimated pay for labor & delivery nurses, at roughly $90,990 a year. City figures are estimates based on the role's national pay and local cost of living.
- How does Iowa labor & delivery nurse pay compare to the national average?
- The national estimate for a labor & delivery nurse is about $103,400 a year, versus an estimated $87,890 in Iowa — about 15% 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 estimate (BLS national × state wage index)
Iowa figures are estimated by adjusting the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS national median for local pay levels (a state adjustment of 0.85×).
Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 3, 2026. Full methodology
Estimated figure — national labor & delivery nurse pay adjusted for Iowa. Last reviewed July 3, 2026.