Registered Nurse Salary in Des Moines, IA: $82,805 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Des Moines, IA earns a median $82,805/year (≈ $39.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Des Moines's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.7), that paycheck buys what $90,299 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Registered nurses in Des Moines, IA, can expect a median annual salary of $82,805 in 2026, with salaries ranging from $68,115 at the lower end (P10) to $105,837 at the higher end (P90). This compensation level reflects a significant gap compared to the national median, which stands at $102,730, indicating that how much do registered nurses make in Des Moines does not reach the national average by approximately 19.40%. These projections derive from 2025 BLS OEWS data, suggesting a growing demand for nursing professionals amidst evolving healthcare needs. With travel nursing becoming increasingly common, local hospitals must compete effectively with these travel opportunities to attract and retain skilled staff, thus influencing the salary dynamics across the market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,115 | $32.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,791 | $35.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,805 | $39.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91,293 | $43.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,837 | $50.89 |
Median Salary Position
19.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Moines
In Des Moines, IA, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,722 (2026 est.). At $82,805, the local median is 19.4% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Des Moines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Des Moines Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Des Moines median: $82,805/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Moines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $81,261 | +1.90% more |
| National Average | $102,730 | -19.40% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Moines has a cost of living 8.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Des Moines, IA has a cost-of-living index of 91.701 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $82,805 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $90,299 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.05% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,170
2025 BLS Actual
$78,630
2026 Current Est.
$82,805
2019–2027 Growth
+42.6%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,170 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,340 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,400 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,010 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,270 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,970 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,630 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,805 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,202 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Moines metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 28.5% from $61,170 (2019) to $78,630 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,202 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,032 (42.56%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $68,115 – $73,791 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,791 – $82,805 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,805 – $91,293 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $91,293 – $105,837 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Des Moines
In Des Moines, the employment landscape for registered nurses remains robust, with approximately 8,130 nurses actively working in the area. The cost of living index in the city sits at 91.701, slightly below the national average, which means that registered nurse pay in Des Moines, IA, offers a relatively favorable purchasing power compared to other regions. Major employers include local hospital systems, acute care facilities, and specialty centers, with the highest pay often associated with roles in critical care, emergency departments, and surgical specialties. Factors such as shift differentials for nights and weekends can enhance earnings significantly—additional pay ranging from $3 to $7 per hour for these shifts is common. Strategies for maximizing salary in Des Moines include seeking out positions at magnet-status hospitals that prioritize specialty certifications and exploring opportunities in high-demand areas like home health and hospice care. Understanding these market nuances can be vital for nurses aiming to optimize their career prospects and salary potential.
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
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 $78,630 for registered nursesin the Des Moines 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
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