Registered Nurse Salary in Burlington, IA: $78,018 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Burlington, IA earns a median $78,018/year (≈ $37.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Burlington's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $86,303 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, registered nurse salaries in Burlington, IA, reflect a notable structural divide between staff positions and travel nursing roles. With a median annual salary projected at $78,018, local RNs can expect earnings that range from $58,151 at the 10th percentile to approximately $103,800 at the 90th percentile. While these figures showcase competitive compensation within the regional healthcare market, they also highlight a significant difference from the national median of $102,730. The salary estimates for Burlington are derived from state-level BLS data and regional cost analyses, underscoring the unique challenges and opportunities nurses face in this area.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($71,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,151 | $27.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,542 | $31.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,018 | $37.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,731 | $42.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,800 | $49.91 |
Median Salary Position
24.06% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
In Burlington, IA, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,649 (2026 est.). At $78,018, the local median is 24.06% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burlington Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Burlington median: $78,018/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $81,269 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -24.06% less |
Registered Nurses in Burlington, IA earn a median of $78,018 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.06% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 4.00% below the Iowa state average of $81,269.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burlington has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burlington, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $78,018 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $86,303 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,667
2025 BLS Actual
$74,084
2026 Current Est.
$78,018
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,667 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,209 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,933 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,682 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,366 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,629 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,084 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,018 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,161 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burlington metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $55,667 (2019) to $74,084 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,161 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,494 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $58,151 – $65,542 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,542 – $78,018 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,018 – $87,731 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,731 – $103,800 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Burlington
As of 2026, Burlington employs a mere four registered nurses, emphasizing a relatively limited job market. The cost-of-living index stands at 90.4, suggesting that nurses in this area may find their purchasing power is slightly less than the national average. Among local employers, hospital systems, especially those with magnet status, typically offer higher pay, often coupled with incentives related to shift differential and specialty certifications. The disparity in wages stems from various factors, including additional compensation for night shifts, weekends, and unique roles in critical care settings. Registered nurses in Burlington can maximize their earnings by seeking positions in acute care facilities or pursuing specialty certifications that often come with a stipend. This strategic approach not only improves salary potential but also enhances career advancement opportunities within the nursing profession in Burlington.
More salary data for Burlington, 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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $74,084 for registered nursesin the Burlington metropolitan area. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Burlington 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