Registered Nurse Salary in Iowa: $83,308 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Iowa's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median registered nurse pay sits at $83,308/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1141. Because Iowa sits at BEA RPP 90.4 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $92,155 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Iowa City ($85,940), Des Moines ($78,630), Cedar Falls ($78,560).
In 2026, the average median salary for registered nurses in Iowa is projected to be $83,308, reflecting an 18.9% lower figure compared to the national median of $102,730. The salary range varies significantly across the state, with the highest paying city, Iowa City, offering $90,503, while Fort Dodge reports the lowest at $74,584. This disparity in salaries can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and competition for nursing talent in urban versus rural areas. Iowa's nursing workforce is governed by specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which can affect job roles and responsibilities. The state has a consistent demand for healthcare professionals, driven by an aging population and a growing focus on healthcare access. Currently, there are 24,596 registered nurses employed in Iowa, and the job market is expected to grow at an annual compound growth rate (CAGR) of 5.31%. Cities that are projected to show strong salaries include Des Moines at $82,805, Cedar Falls at $82,732, Cedar Rapids at $82,531, and West Des Moines at $81,735. Understanding these dynamics can assist aspiring nurses in making informed career decisions in Iowa's evolving healthcare landscape.
Iowa Registered Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Iowa: $55,068 (lowest entry-level) to $115,046 (highest top earner)
Iowa vs National Average
Iowa registered nurses earn 18.91% less than the national median ($-19,422/year difference).
Iowa Registered Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Registered Nurse salaries in Iowa range from $68,294 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $105,965 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $83,308. The Iowa median is $19,422 below the US national median of $102,730. The average hourly rate is $40.05/hr. Approximately 24,596 registered nurses are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$59,433
2025 BLS Actual
$79,107
2026 Current Est.
$83,308
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Iowa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,433 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,242 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,760 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,396 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,676 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,826 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,107 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,308 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,731 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $59,433 (2019) to $79,107 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,731 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,298 (47.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Iowa
Lowest Paying Cities in Iowa
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Fort Dodge | $74,584 |
| Johnston | $75,415 |
| Ottumwa | $75,598 |
| Muscatine | $75,885 |
| Clinton | $76,245 |
Best Value Cities for Registered Nurses in Iowa
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Iowa cities offer the most purchasing power for registered nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa City | $90,503 | 91.509 | $98,901 |
| Waterloo | $81,004 | 87.057 | $93,047 |
| Cedar Rapids | $82,531 | 88.963 | $92,770 |
| Dubuque | $80,868 | 87.328 | $92,603 |
| Sioux City | $79,867 | 86.454 | $92,381 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Iowa
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $68,294 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $83,308 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $105,965 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Iowa metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in Iowa
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iowa City | $90,503 |
| 2 | Des Moines | $82,805 |
| 3 | Cedar Falls | $82,732 |
| 4 | Cedar Rapids | $82,531 |
| 5 | West Des Moines | $81,735 |
| 6 | Ames | $81,257 |
| 7 | Davenport | $81,247 |
| 8 | Waterloo | $81,004 |
| 9 | Dubuque | $80,868 |
| 10 | Marion | $79,896 |
| 11 | Sioux City | $79,867 |
| 12 | Ankeny | $78,962 |
| 13 | Council Bluffs | $78,468 |
| 14 | Burlington | $78,018 |
| 15 | Waukee | $77,737 |
| 16 | Urbandale | $77,632 |
| 17 | Bettendorf | $77,626 |
| 18 | Marshalltown | $77,386 |
| 19 | Coralville | $77,284 |
| 20 | Mason City | $76,926 |
| 21 | North Liberty | $76,625 |
| 22 | Clinton | $76,245 |
| 23 | Muscatine | $75,885 |
| 24 | Ottumwa | $75,598 |
| 25 | Johnston | $75,415 |
| 26 | Fort Dodge | $74,584 |
More Iowa Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced registered nurses.
Explore More Registered Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in Iowa in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for registered nurses in Iowa?
How does Iowa registered nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level registered nurse salary in Iowa?
How many registered nurses are employed in Iowa?
Which Iowa city offers the best value for registered nurses?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 registered nurse compensation across Iowa. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more registered nursescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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