Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Des Moines, IA: $39.81 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Des Moines, IA runs $39.81 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,805 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Des Moines's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.7, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $43.41 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,679 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Des Moines, IA, registered nurses can expect a median hourly rate of $39.81, which is notably lower than the national median of $49.39. This rate provides valuable insight into the financial landscape for nurses working in diverse settings, including hospital floors, ICUs, emergency departments, and outpatient clinics. For part-time nurses working three days per week, this translates to an opportunity to earn an average of about $1,267 weekly for a 24-hour schedule. The hourly range for registered nurses in Des Moines spans from approximately $32.75 for entry-level positions to around $50.89 for those at the top end of their careers, according to official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.75 | $262.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.48 | $283.83 |
| Median (P50) | $39.81 | $318.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.89 | $351.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.89 | $407.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Des Moines
Based on $39.81/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.81/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Des Moines, IA can expect to earn approximately $82,799 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,769. With a cost-of-living index of 91.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Des Moines.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Des Moines
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,592.29 | $6,900 | $82,799 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $955.37 | $4,140 | $49,679 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $636.91 | $2,760 | $33,120 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Des Moines) | $39.81 |
| 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 Des Moines, IA earn a median of $82,805 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.40% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 1.90% above the Iowa state average of $81,261.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.81/hr = $49,679/year (purchasing power: $54,175).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,799/year (purchasing power: $90,292).
CoL index: 91.701 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.41/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.80/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.81/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.41/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.97/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.26/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.15/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.97/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.80/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.81/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Des Moines grew 28.5% from $29.41/hr (2019) to $37.80/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.92/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 Des Moines 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 Des Moines
Amid a competitive job market, registered nurses working part-time can bring home a substantial income while enjoying flexibility. For instance, a nurse on a 3-day schedule could earn over $65,400 annually, a significant figure compared to full-time earnings. Conversely, per diem registered nurse pay in Des Moines is quite variable, with many such roles compensating between $50 and $80 per hour based on specialty and urgency. Travel nurses also find lucrative opportunities; contracts can offer compensation ranging from $2,000 to $4,500 weekly in more saturated markets, with crisis-rate pay for ICU contracts potentially reaching $8,000. Notably, hourly wages may differ across employer types, with hospital systems generally offering competitive pay rates, while other sectors like home health or school nursing might provide lower compensation but include benefits packages. Additionally, nurses should consider negotiating pay structures that balance hourly rates with essential benefits, such as health insurance, to determine the best approach for their professional goals in Des Moines, IA.
More salary data for Des Moines, 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 Des Moines. 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