Nursing Assistant salary in Iowa
Nursing Assistants in Iowa earn a median of $39,350 a year ($18.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 22,670 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,980 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $42,260. Iowa ranks 31st of 51 states for nursing assistants pay. There are 15 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $41,490, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nursing assistants in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,620 | $17.13 |
| 25th percentile | $37,360 | $17.96 |
| Median | $39,350 | $18.92 |
| 75th percentile | $45,650 | $21.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,980 | $23.07 |
| Average (mean) | $41,490 | $19.95 |
Half of nursing assistants 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 | $3,279.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,639.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,513.46 |
| Weekly | $756.73 |
| Hourly | $18.92 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Nursing Assistant salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $43,940 | 4,660 |
| Ames, IA | $43,540 | 770 |
| Dubuque, IA | $41,580 | 1,010 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $40,020 | 7,740 |
| Iowa City, IA | $39,330 | 1,310 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $39,110 | 1,740 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $38,940 | 930 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $38,930 | 1,440 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $38,740 | 2,220 |
Highest-paying states for nursing assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $49,830 |
| Washington | $49,180 |
| New York | $48,590 |
| New Hampshire | $47,870 |
| District of Columbia | $47,700 |
| California | $47,630 |
| Colorado | $47,380 |
| Vermont | $47,130 |
| Maine | $47,070 |
| New Jersey | $46,830 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $36,080 | $17.34 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $39,260 | $18.88 |
| Orderly | $36,850 | $17.72 |
| Medical Assistant | $45,480 | $21.87 |
| Dental Assistant | $48,430 | $23.28 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $35,720 | $17.18 |
| Phlebotomist | $38,240 | $18.38 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $33,270 | $16.00 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $61,030 | $29.34 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $39,930 | $19.20 |
| Massage Therapist | $57,710 | $27.75 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $64,140 | $30.84 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $29,120 | $14.00 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-1131. 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 nursing assistant make in Iowa?
The median salary for nursing assistants in Iowa is $39,350 a year, or $18.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in Iowa?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in Iowa earn at least $47,980 a year. The top 25% earn $45,650 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,620 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $37,360 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in Iowa?
About 22,670 nursing assistants are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.