Skip to content
SalaryNurse
Iowa · IA

Orthopedic Nurse salary in Iowa

A orthopedic 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.

Orthopedic Nurse — Iowa

Specialty estimate

Median annual pay

$80,200

-19% vs national

Hourly

$38.56/hr

Median $80,200
$65,120$102,510
Typical range
$69,660–$87,660
What most nurses earn
High end
$102,510
Top earners
Entry level
$65,120
Newer nurses

Orthopedic Nurse pay by city in Iowa

Estimated pay in the state's largest metro areas.

CityEst. annualEst. hourly
Des Moines$80,200$38.56
All Iowa nurse pay

Other nursing roles in Iowa

Compare estimated pay for related roles in this state.

What affects orthopedic nurse pay in Iowa

Lower pay; low cost of living. For a orthopedic 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 Orthopedic 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.

Orthopedic Nurse salary in Iowa — FAQ

How much does a orthopedic nurse make in Iowa?
A orthopedic 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 orthopedic nurses?
For pay, Iowa sits about 19% below the national average for orthopedic 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 orthopedic nurses the most?
Among Iowa metros we track, Des Moines tends to have the highest estimated pay for orthopedic 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 orthopedic nurse pay compare to the national average?
The national estimate for a orthopedic 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 & confidenceAn 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 Orthopedic 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 orthopedic nurse pay adjusted for Iowa. Last reviewed July 17, 2026.