Do registered nurses or nurse managers earn more in Iowa?

In Iowa, nurse managers earn more — an estimated $102,220 a year versus $78,630 for registered nurses, a gap of about $23,590 (roughly 30% more). One figure is a median reported for Iowa in official public wage data; the other is an estimate, because public data does not report that role separately.

How much is the registered nurse vs nurse manager pay gap in Iowa?

The estimated gap in Iowa is about $23,590 a year, or roughly 30% more for nurse managers. Your actual pay depends on experience, specialty, shift, and employer — use the calculator to compare both for your situation.

Are these Iowa figures exact?

Partly — one side is a reported wage and the other is an estimate. 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

Registered Nurse vs Nurse Manager salary in Iowa

In Iowa, nurse managers earn more — an estimated $102,220 a year versus $78,630 for registered nurses, a gap of about $23,590 (roughly 30% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for Iowa.

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

Nurse Manager — Iowa

Specialty estimate

Median annual pay

$102,220

-19% vs national

Hourly

$49.14/hr

Median $102,220

$82,990Middle 50%: $88,780–$111,720$130,650

Typical range: $88,780–$111,720; What most nurses earn
High end: $130,650; Top earners
Entry level: $82,990; Newer nurses

Why the gap in Iowa

Nurse managers generally out-earn staff registered nurses, reflecting a salaried leadership role with responsibility for a unit's staffing, budget, and outcomes. The trade-off is fewer bedside hours, on-call administrative duties, and less overtime — so total pay depends on how much a staff RN picks up in shifts and differentials. 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 Registered Nurse vs Nurse Manager comparison or personalize the calculator.

Registered Nurse vs Nurse Manager in Iowa — FAQ

Do registered nurses or nurse managers earn more in Iowa?: In Iowa, nurse managers earn more — an estimated $102,220 a year versus $78,630 for registered nurses, a gap of about $23,590 (roughly 30% more). One figure is a median reported for Iowa in official public wage data; the other is an estimate, because public data does not report that role separately.
How much is the registered nurse vs nurse manager pay gap in Iowa?: The estimated gap in Iowa is about $23,590 a year, or roughly 30% more for nurse managers. Your actual pay depends on experience, specialty, shift, and employer — use the calculator to compare both for your situation.
Are these Iowa figures exact?: Partly — one side is a reported wage and the other is an estimate. 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— 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

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