Registered Nurse salary in Iowa
What registered nurses earn in Iowa and its metro areas, compared with the rest of the country.
Median pay$78,630$37.80 per hour
vs U.S.−19%U.S. median $97,550
Middle half earn$68,290 – $85,940Top 10%: $100,500+
Jobs34,4201.02× the U.S. concentration
Registered Nurse pay in Iowa cities
Metro areas as BLS defines them. Click a column to sort.
| Metro area | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $84,600 | $40.67 | 13,200 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $78,630 | $37.80 | 8,130 |
| Iowa City, IA | $85,940 | $41.32 | 4,090 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $77,150 | $37.09 | 3,520 |
| Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $79,280 | $38.11 | 3,490 |
| Northwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $79,460 | $38.20 | 3,190 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $78,370 | $37.68 | 2,880 |
| Northeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $77,600 | $37.31 | 2,250 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $76,920 | $36.98 | 1,890 |
| Southwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $78,960 | $37.96 | 1,890 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $75,840 | $36.46 | 1,600 |
| Dubuque, IA | $76,790 | $36.92 | 1,280 |
| Ames, IA | $77,160 | $37.09 | 1,070 |
Hospitals and jobs in Iowa
Registered Nurse pay in similar states
West Virginia · $80,130 Kansas · $79,320 Arkansas · $78,940 South Dakota · $78,060 Mississippi · $77,090 Alabama · $77,080
Other healthcare salaries in Iowa
Home Health and Personal Care Aides · $36,080 Nursing Assistants · $39,350 Medical Assistants · $45,480 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses · $62,630 Pharmacy Technicians · $44,860 Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians · $54,260 Nurse Practitioners · $130,160 Pharmacists · $138,860 Dental Assistants · $48,430 Radiologic Technologists and Technicians · $65,930 Physical Therapists · $97,560 Dental Hygienists · $84,010
Questions
How much does a registered nurse make in Iowa?
Registered Nurses in Iowa earned a median of $78,630 a year ($37.80 an hour) in May 2025, 19% less than the national median of $97,550. The middle half earned $68,290 to $85,940.
Where in Iowa do registered nurses earn the most?
Among areas in Iowa, pay was highest in Iowa City, IA at $85,940.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, all industries. Pay doesn't reflect cost of living, overtime or shift differentials.