Registered Nurse salary in Dubuque, IA
Registered Nurses in the Dubuque, IA metro area earn a median of $76,790 a year ($36.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,280 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,570 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 22 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $79,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for registered nurses in Dubuque, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,700 | $31.59 |
| 25th percentile | $71,740 | $34.49 |
| Median | $76,790 | $36.92 |
| 75th percentile | $82,250 | $39.54 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,570 | $46.43 |
| Average (mean) | $79,120 | $38.04 |
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 | $6,399.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,199.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,953.46 |
| Weekly | $1,476.73 |
| Hourly | $36.92 |
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 |
| Ames, IA | $77,160 | 1,070 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $77,150 | 3,520 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $76,920 | 1,890 |
| 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 Dubuque, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $145,390 | $69.90 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,620 | $62.32 |
| Dental Hygienist | $81,410 | $39.14 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,840 | $48.00 |
| Dentists, General | $161,140 | $77.47 |
| Physician Assistant | $126,050 | $60.60 |
| Physicians, All Other | $309,930 | $149.01 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $74,190 | $35.67 |
| Occupational Therapist | $94,210 | $45.29 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $85,030 | $40.88 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $45,100 | $21.69 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $63,750 | $30.65 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $55,680 | $26.77 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $74,530 | $35.83 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Dubuque, 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 Dubuque, IA?
The median salary for registered nurses in the Dubuque, IA metro area is $76,790 a year, or $36.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Dubuque, IA?
The top 10% of registered nurses in the Dubuque, IA metro area earn at least $96,570 a year. The top 25% earn $82,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Dubuque, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,700 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $71,740 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Dubuque, IA?
About 1,280 registered nurses are employed in the Dubuque, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.