Iowa · IA

Nurse salary in Iowa

Registered nurses in Iowa earn about $78,630 a year ($37.80/hr) — about 19% below the U.S. average. State figures are estimates based on national pay and local cost of living — a starting point, not a guaranteed local wage.

Registered nurse — Iowa

Verified public wage data

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

Explore Iowa nurse pay

Switch between cities and roles to drill into local pay.

All metros

Des MoinesCity / metro$78,630/yr$37.80/hrVerified public wage data

Calculate your pay →Submit your salary →Each figure is the median wage reported for that area in official public wage data.

Nurse pay by type in Iowa

Estimated annual pay by nurse type, ranked. Local figures are estimates.

All nurse roles in Iowa

Estimated pay for every nurse type in Iowa — open one for the full local breakdown.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist$273,070 Certified Nurse Midwife$131,360 Nurse Practitioner$130,160 Nurse Manager$102,220 Travel Nurse$98,290 Flight Nurse$90,420 ICU Nurse$88,070 ER Nurse$86,490 NICU Nurse$86,490 Cath Lab Nurse$86,490 Operating Room Nurse$84,920 Nurse Informaticist$84,920 Charge Nurse$84,130 Labor & Delivery Nurse$83,350 PACU Nurse$83,350 Transplant Nurse$83,350 Trauma Nurse$83,350 Oncology Nurse$82,560 Case Management Nurse$82,560 Endoscopy Nurse$82,560 Cardiac Nurse$81,780 Neuroscience Nurse$81,780 Psychiatric Nurse$80,990 Telemetry Nurse$80,990 Pediatric Nurse$80,200 Correctional Nurse$80,200 Orthopedic Nurse$80,200 Gastroenterology Nurse$80,200 Registered Nurse$78,630 Med-Surg Nurse$78,630 Dialysis Nurse$78,630 Wound Care Nurse$78,630 Infusion Nurse$78,630 Occupational Health Nurse$78,630 Aesthetic Nurse$78,630 Rehabilitation Nurse$78,630 Urology Nurse$78,630 Hospice Nurse$77,840 Home Health Nurse$77,060 Ambulatory Care Nurse$77,060 Telehealth Nurse$76,270 Clinic Nurse$73,130 Public Health Nurse$72,340 School Nurse$70,770 Licensed Practical Nurse$62,630 Licensed Vocational Nurse$62,630 Nursing Assistant (CNA)$39,350

What affects nurse pay in Iowa

Lower pay; low cost of living. Within Iowa, pay is shaped by the metro labor market, the mix of hospitals vs long-term care and clinics, union presence, shift differentials, and how short-staffed local employers are. Advanced-practice roles (NP, CRNA) and critical-care specialties command the highest pay. Use the calculator to estimate your own.

Where this figure comes from

This is the actual median wage reported for Iowa in official U.S. government wage data — about 19% below the U.S. average. It is measured from employer-reported payroll, not estimated from a national average.

In Iowa, the lowest-paid 10% earn about $63,840 and the highest-paid 10% about $100,500. Where you land depends on specialty, shift, overtime, union status, employer type, and years of experience.

Source year: 2025. Updated when new official wage data is published.

How to use this state figure

It’s the median actually reported for Iowa — half of nurses earn more, half earn less. A midpoint, not an offer you’re guaranteed.
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.

Registered Nurse salary Licensed Practical Nurse salary Nurse Practitioner salary Personalize the calculator

Source & confidence— A verified figure from official U.S. public wage data.

BLS OEWS (May 2025, state)

Iowa figures are published directly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Iowa (May 2025). They are not estimated or adjusted.

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

Last reviewed July 17, 2026.

Nearby states

Illinois ($95,990)Indiana ($83,500)Kansas ($79,320)Michigan ($94,300)Minnesota ($101,510)