Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Iowa City, IA: $43.51 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Iowa City, IA runs $43.51 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $90,503 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Iowa City's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $47.55 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $54,306 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Iowa City, IA, the projected median hourly pay for registered nurses is $43.51, which falls short when compared to the national median of $49.39. This hourly rate reflects a range from $35.58 for entry-level positions to $53.74 for the most experienced practitioners. For those working part-time, such as a typical schedule of three days a week, the median pay supports a solid earning potential even though it may not meet national averages. Per-diem roles, which are increasingly popular, are commonly compensated at higher rates depending on the nursing specialty and setting, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, and home health visits. Such flexibility in work schedules allows registered nurses to choose positions that best fit their personal and professional lives while benefiting from competitive hourly wages across various healthcare environments. These salaries are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.58 | $284.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.58 | $284.67 |
| Median (P50) | $43.51 | $348.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.94 | $375.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.74 | $429.92 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Iowa City
Based on $43.51/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $43.51/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Iowa City, IA can expect to earn approximately $90,509 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $52,217. With a cost-of-living index of 91.51 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Iowa City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Iowa City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,740.56 | $7,542 | $90,509 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,044.34 | $4,525 | $54,306 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $696.23 | $3,017 | $36,204 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Iowa City) | $43.51 |
| 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 Iowa City, IA earn a median of $90,503 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.90% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 11.40% above the Iowa state average of $81,242.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $43.51/hr = $54,306/year (purchasing power: $59,345).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $90,509/year (purchasing power: $98,908).
CoL index: 91.509 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.44/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$43.51/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+45.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Iowa City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.44/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.55/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.85/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.73/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.38/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.87/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43.51/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45.82/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Iowa City grew 31.4% from $31.44/hr (2019) to $41.32/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $45.82/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 Iowa City 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 Iowa City
Part-time nurses in Iowa City can expect to earn a substantial income, with a three-day workweek totaling approximately $54,000 annually, contrasting with a full-time salary that could exceed $90,503. Per diem registered nurses often see their pay scale rise considerably, billing anywhere from $50 to $80 per hour based on specific clinical expertise. Travel nursing contracts are particularly lucrative, with earnings reaching $2,000 to $4,500 per week, and crisis situations in the ICU can command rates as high as $5,000 to $8,000. It’s essential to consider how the hourly rates vary across different employers, such as acute care hospitals, specialty centers, and home health agencies in Iowa City. Registered nurses sometimes opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits like health insurance, while those who prioritize higher pay may choose jobs that do not offer such perks. For effective negotiations in this market, understanding these trade-offs is vital, allowing for informed decisions and tailored career paths within the nursing community.
More salary data for Iowa City, 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 Iowa City. 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