Nurse Practitioner salary in Ames, IA
Nurse Practitioners in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $127,600 a year ($61.34 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $79,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $172,140 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $132,300. Pay here is 2% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $130,160. There are 1.3 nurse practitioners per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.62). The average (mean) salary is $130,780, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nurse practitioners in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,660 | $38.30 |
| 25th percentile | $104,750 | $50.36 |
| Median | $127,600 | $61.34 |
| 75th percentile | $140,360 | $67.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $172,140 | $82.76 |
| Average (mean) | $130,780 | $62.88 |
Half of nurse practitioners earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,633.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,316.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,907.69 |
| Weekly | $2,453.85 |
| Hourly | $61.34 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Nurse Practitioner salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $133,760 | 1,380 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $132,230 | 820 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $130,400 | 390 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $129,890 | 240 |
| Dubuque, IA | $129,620 | 130 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $129,060 | 150 |
| Iowa City, IA | $129,030 | 330 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $126,330 | 260 |
Highest-paying states for nurse practitioners
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $168,520 |
| New Jersey | $159,310 |
| Washington | $156,100 |
| Oregon | $155,680 |
| Alaska | $155,170 |
| New York | $153,510 |
| Massachusetts | $142,440 |
| Nevada | $140,670 |
| Connecticut | $138,470 |
| New Hampshire | $137,550 |
See Nurse Practitioner pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $77,160 | $37.09 |
| Dental Hygienist | $89,130 | $42.85 |
| Veterinarian | $118,240 | $56.85 |
| Pharmacist | $139,690 | $67.16 |
| Physical Therapist | $90,610 | $43.56 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $248,000 | $119.23 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $83,170 | $39.99 |
| Dentists, General | $163,950 | $78.82 |
| Occupational Therapist | $73,810 | $35.49 |
| Chiropractor | $56,890 | $27.35 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $50,730 | $24.39 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $65,610 | $31.55 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $39,310 | $18.90 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $56,380 | $27.10 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1171. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nurse practitioner make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for nurse practitioners in the Ames, IA metro area is $127,600 a year, or $61.34 an hour. Pay ranges from $79,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $172,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nurse practitioners make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of nurse practitioners in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $172,140 a year. The top 25% earn $140,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for nurse practitioners in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $79,660 a year, and a quarter of nurse practitioners earn $104,750 or less.
How many nurse practitioners work in Ames, IA?
About 70 nurse practitioners are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.