Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in West Des Moines, IA: $39.29 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in West Des Moines, IA runs $39.29 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,735 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against West Des Moines's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $43.46 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,035 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, registered nurse hourly pay in West Des Moines, Iowa, is projected to reach a median of $39.29, notably lower than the national hourly median of $49.39. This rate translates into various opportunities for part-time or per-diem nurses within local healthcare settings such as hospitals, emergency departments, and outpatient clinics. For those working a typical 72-hour, three-day week, this pay can provide stable income while allowing for flexibility. Entry-level registered nurses can expect to earn around $28.68 per hour, while experienced top earners in specialized roles might command rates as high as $55.31. However, these figures are estimates derived from annual salary data, emphasizing the need for RNs to consider both compensation and job satisfaction when evaluating positions.
About the West Des Moines Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($71,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.68 | $229.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.88 | $255.02 |
| Median (P50) | $39.29 | $314.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.51 | $364.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.31 | $442.47 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in West Des Moines
Based on $39.29/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.29/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in West Des Moines, IA can expect to earn approximately $81,726 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,149. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in West Des Moines.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in West Des Moines
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,571.65 | $6,810 | $81,726 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $942.99 | $4,086 | $49,035 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $628.66 | $2,724 | $32,690 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (West Des Moines) | $39.29 |
| 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 West Des Moines, IA earn a median of $81,735 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.44% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 0.60% above the Iowa state average of $81,248.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.29/hr = $49,035/year (purchasing power: $54,243).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,726/year (purchasing power: $90,404).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.29/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in West Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.04/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.81/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.68/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.15/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.29/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.38/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in West Des Moines grew 33.1% from $28.04/hr (2019) to $37.31/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.38/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 West 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 West Des Moines
Despite the attractive pay in specific areas, part-time nursing may yield different annual earnings compared to full-time positions, as a 24-hour work week might result in around $61,300 annually. Per diem registered nurses, often more flexible in their scheduling, see pay rates ranging significantly, commonly billing between $50-$80 per hour depending on their specialty. Travel nursing remains a competitive option; contracts can offer substantial weekly pay with stipends, especially in high-demand markets, with crisis-rate contracts bringing in $5,000-$8,000 weekly in critical care settings. Hourly rates can vary substantially depending on whether RNs work in acute care hospitals, specialty surgical centers, or home health, creating a unique environment for negotiations. Nurses might have to weigh a lower hourly rate with benefits against higher rates without additional advantages. Those considering positions in West Des Moines should prepare to negotiate effectively, focusing on their specialties and available benefits when discussing compensation.
More salary data for West 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 West 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
Salary data for West Des Moines is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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