Registered Nurse salary in Ames, IA
Registered Nurses in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $77,160 a year ($37.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,070 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,440 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $97,550. Pay here is 2% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $78,630. There are 19 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $76,910, close to the median.
Pay range for registered nurses in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,360 | $30.94 |
| 25th percentile | $67,280 | $32.34 |
| Median | $77,160 | $37.09 |
| 75th percentile | $80,900 | $38.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,440 | $47.81 |
| Average (mean) | $76,910 | $36.97 |
Half of registered nurses 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 | $6,430 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,215 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,967.69 |
| Weekly | $1,483.85 |
| Hourly | $37.09 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Registered Nurse salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA | $85,940 | 4,090 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $84,600 | 13,200 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $78,630 | 8,130 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $78,370 | 2,880 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $77,150 | 3,520 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $76,920 | 1,890 |
| Dubuque, IA | $76,790 | 1,280 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $75,840 | 1,600 |
Highest-paying states for registered nurses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $140,270 |
| Hawaii | $136,320 |
| Oregon | $129,010 |
| Washington | $124,200 |
| Alaska | $109,480 |
| New York | $109,440 |
| New Jersey | $106,500 |
| Massachusetts | $104,550 |
| Nevada | $103,670 |
| Connecticut | $102,740 |
See Registered Nurse pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist | $89,130 | $42.85 |
| Veterinarian | $118,240 | $56.85 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,600 | $61.34 |
| 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 29-1141. 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 registered nurse make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for registered nurses in the Ames, IA metro area is $77,160 a year, or $37.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of registered nurses in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $99,440 a year. The top 25% earn $80,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,360 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $67,280 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Ames, IA?
About 1,070 registered nurses are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.