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

The reported gap in Iowa is about $52,730 a year, or roughly 67% more for certified nurse midwifes. Your actual pay depends on experience, specialty, shift, and employer — use the calculator to compare both for your situation.

Are these Iowa figures exact?

They're the median wages actually reported for Iowa — meaning half of nurses in the role earn more and half earn less. A median is a real measured midpoint, not a prediction of your offer: your pay moves with experience, specialty, shift, overtime, and employer.

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 Certified Nurse Midwife salary in Iowa

In Iowa, certified nurse midwifes earn more — an estimated $131,360 a year versus $78,630 for registered nurses, a gap of about $52,730 (roughly 67% 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

Certified Nurse Midwife — Iowa

Verified public wage data

Median annual pay

$131,360

Near national

Hourly

$63.15/hr

Median $131,360

$81,620Middle 50%: $84,450–$141,410$158,930

Typical range: $84,450–$141,410; What most nurses earn
High end: $158,930; Top earners
Entry level: $81,620; Newer nurses

Why the gap in Iowa

Certified Nurse Midwives earn well above staff registered nurses, reflecting a graduate degree, prescriptive authority, and a specialized scope in pregnancy, birth, and women's health. Both build on the RN license, but the midwife is an advanced-practice provider. 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 Certified Nurse Midwife comparison or personalize the calculator.

Registered Nurse vs Certified Nurse Midwife in Iowa — FAQ

Do registered nurses or certified nurse midwifes earn more in Iowa?: In Iowa, certified nurse midwifes earn more — $131,360 a year versus $78,630 for registered nurses, a gap of about $52,730 (roughly 67% more). Both are median wages reported for Iowa in official public wage data.
How much is the registered nurse vs certified nurse midwife pay gap in Iowa?: The reported gap in Iowa is about $52,730 a year, or roughly 67% more for certified nurse midwifes. Your actual pay depends on experience, specialty, shift, and employer — use the calculator to compare both for your situation.
Are these Iowa figures exact?: They're the median wages actually reported for Iowa — meaning half of nurses in the role earn more and half earn less. A median is a real measured midpoint, not a prediction of your offer: your pay moves with experience, specialty, shift, overtime, and employer.
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.