Registered Nurse Salary

Davenport vs Marshalltown: Registered Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare registered nurse salaries between Davenport, IA and Marshalltown, IA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Davenport, IA
$81,247
$39.06/hr
Marshalltown, IA
$77,386
$37.21/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDavenport, IAMarshalltown, IA
Median Salary$81,247$77,386
Hourly Rate$39.06$37.21
Entry Level (P10)$67,030$57,551
25th Percentile$70,842$63,259
75th Percentile$86,628$87,798
Top Earner (P90)$103,846$104,876
Total Employed3,5208
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Davenport ($81,247) and Marshalltown ($77,386) registered nurse salaries.DavenportMarshalltownMedian Salary$81,247$77,386Entry Level (P10)$67,030$57,551Top Earner (P90)$103,846$104,876US Median $102,730

Verdict

Davenport, IA offers better overall compensation for registered nurses, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Marshalltown.

The salary gap between Davenport and Marshalltown is $3,861 (4.99%). Davenport's median is -20.91% compared to the US national median of $102,730.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Davenport spans $36,816,Marshalltown spans $47,325. Marshalltown has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced registered nurses.

Davenport
P10 (Entry)$67,030
P25$70,842
Median$81,247
P75$86,628
P90 (Top)$103,846
Marshalltown
P10 (Entry)$57,551
P25$63,259
Median$77,386
P75$87,798
P90 (Top)$104,876

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Davenport ($91,208 effective) pays 6.55% more than Marshalltown ($85,604 effective).

Davenport
Nominal: $81,247
CoL Index: 89.079
Adjusted: $91,208
Marshalltown
Nominal: $77,386
CoL Index: 90.4
Adjusted: $85,604

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Davenport if…

  • Higher median salary ($81,247/year)
  • Larger job market (3,520 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $91,208)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Choose Marshalltown if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($104,876)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, registered nurse salaries in Davenport grew 42.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 20.2% growth in Marshalltown over the same period.

Davenport, IA

+42.8%

$54,030 (2019) → $77,150 (2025)

Marshalltown, IA

+20.2%

$61,130 (2024) → $73,484 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays registered nurses more: Davenport or Marshalltown?

Davenport has a higher median registered nurse salary at $81,247/year, compared to Marshalltown at $77,386/year — a difference of $3,861 (4.99%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Davenport and Marshalltown?

Davenport registered nurses earn $39.06/hr while Marshalltown hygienists earn $37.21/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Davenport to Marshalltown as a registered nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Davenport and Marshalltown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Davenport = $91,208, Marshalltown = $85,604), job availability (3,520 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level registered nurses earn in Davenport vs Marshalltown?

Entry-level (10th percentile) registered nurses earn $67,030 in Davenport and $57,551 in Marshalltown. The Davenport area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.

Clinically reviewed by Amina Patel, RN, MSNData verified by Carlos Gomez, RN, DNP

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.31% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov