Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Ames, IA: $39.06 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Ames, IA runs $39.06 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,257 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Ames's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.8, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $43.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,746 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Registered nurses in Ames, Iowa, can expect a median hourly pay of $39.06 based on projections for 2026, which is significantly lower than the national hourly median of $49.39. This difference can impact part-time and per-diem workers, particularly those in settings such as hospital floors, emergency departments, or outpatient clinics. For example, a nurse working three days a week could rely on this hourly rate, while entry-level positions start at $32.58 per hour, escalating to $50.35 for top earners. These figures, drawn from the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics' estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, illustrate the financial landscape for registered nurses in Ames and highlight varying pay rates influenced by experience, specialization, and shifts worked.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.58 | $260.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.06 | $272.46 |
| Median (P50) | $39.06 | $312.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.96 | $327.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.35 | $402.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ames
Based on $39.06/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.06/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ames, IA can expect to earn approximately $81,244 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,871. With a cost-of-living index of 88.83 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Ames.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ames
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,562.38 | $6,770 | $81,244 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $937.43 | $4,062 | $48,746 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $624.95 | $2,708 | $32,497 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Ames) | $39.06 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $63.50 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
Registered Nurses in Ames, IA earn a median of $81,257 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.90% lower than the national median of $102,730.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.06/hr = $48,746/year (purchasing power: $54,876).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,244/year (purchasing power: $91,460).
CoL index: 88.83 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.92/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.09/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.06/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Ames (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.92/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.12/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.03/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.06/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.09/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.06/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Ames grew 28.3% from $28.92/hr (2019) to $37.09/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.13/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem registered nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ames metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.31% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Registered Nurse in Ames
Shifting to the earning potential for part-time and per-diem registered nurses in Ames reveals greater complexity. A part-time nurse averaging 24 hours per week can expect an annual income significantly less than their full-time counterparts. In contrast, per-diem nurses, who often charge between $50 and $80 per hour based on specialty, can provide more flexible earnings. For instance, travel nursing contracts have become alluring post-pandemic, with weekly wages ranging from $2,000 to $4,500. Hospital systems in Ames, including acute care and specialty centers, generally pay less than travel agencies, but they offer benefits such as health insurance, which some nurses prioritize over slightly higher hourly rates available in other employment settings. Understanding how to negotiate pay and benefits effectively can help registered nurses in Ames maximize their income while balancing their career goals with personal needs.
More salary data for Ames, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for registered nurses in Ames. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov