Registered Nurse salary in Iowa
Registered Nurses in Iowa earn a median of $78,630 a year ($37.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 34,420 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,500 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $97,550. Iowa ranks 48th of 51 states for registered nurses pay. There are 22 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $80,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for registered nurses in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,840 | $30.69 |
| 25th percentile | $68,290 | $32.83 |
| Median | $78,630 | $37.80 |
| 75th percentile | $85,940 | $41.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,500 | $48.32 |
| Average (mean) | $80,540 | $38.72 |
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 | $6,552.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,276.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,024.23 |
| Weekly | $1,512.12 |
| Hourly | $37.80 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Registered Nurse salary in cities in Iowa
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,160 | $62.58 |
| Pharmacist | $138,860 | $66.76 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,560 | $46.90 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,010 | $40.39 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $81,050 | $38.97 |
| Physicians, All Other | $295,190 | $141.92 |
| Occupational Therapist | $89,910 | $43.22 |
| Dentists, General | $181,520 | $87.27 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,770 | $64.79 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $265,200 | $127.50 |
| Veterinarian | $124,610 | $59.91 |
| Chiropractor | $75,050 | $36.08 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $74,760 | $35.94 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $72,690 | $34.95 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for registered nurses in Iowa is $78,630 a year, or $37.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Iowa?
The top 10% of registered nurses in Iowa earn at least $100,500 a year. The top 25% earn $85,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,840 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $68,290 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Iowa?
About 34,420 registered nurses are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.