Registered Nurse Salary in Johnston, IA: $75,415 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Johnston, IA earns a median $75,415/year (≈ $36.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Johnston's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $83,424 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.2% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Johnston, Iowa, the registered nurse salary in Johnston is projected to reach a median annual figure of $75,415 by 2026. This figure represents a substantial difference from the national median of $102,730, showcasing the pay challenges faced locally. The salary range varies widely, spanning from $58,583 at the 10th percentile to $102,412 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and designed to reflect regional cost adjustments. As Johnston continues to expand its healthcare facilities, there is a growing recognition of the need to provide competitive salaries to retain skilled staff nurses in the face of travel nursing options that often lure talent with higher compensation packages.
About the Johnston Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($71,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,583 | $28.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,841 | $31.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,415 | $36.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,312 | $41.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,412 | $49.23 |
Median Salary Position
26.59% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Johnston
In Johnston, IA, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,829 (2026 est.). At $75,415, the local median is 26.59% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Johnston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Johnston Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Johnston median: $75,415/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Johnston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $81,266 | -7.20% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -26.59% less |
Registered Nurses in Johnston, IA earn a median of $75,415 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.59% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 7.20% below the Iowa state average of $81,266.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Johnston 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.
Johnston, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $75,415 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $83,424 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,810
2025 BLS Actual
$71,612
2026 Current Est.
$75,415
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Johnston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,810 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,300 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,967 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,624 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,184 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,573 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,612 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,415 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,419 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Johnston metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $53,810 (2019) to $71,612 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,419 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,609 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Johnston 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) | $58,583 – $64,841 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,841 – $75,415 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,415 – $86,312 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,312 – $102,412 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Johnston
Examining the job market in Johnston reveals that only four registered nurses are currently employed in the area, indicating a relatively small local workforce. The cost-of-living index stands at 90.4, signifying that take-home pay may stretch further compared to higher-cost regions, enhancing local purchasing power. Employers within the area, particularly hospital systems that provide acute care and specialized services, are more likely to offer attractive compensation, especially for night and weekend shifts, which often include significant differential pay. The spread in salaries can be attributed to factors such as specialty certification, charge nurse duties, and the magnet status of healthcare institutions. For registered nurses looking to maximize their earnings in Johnston, pursuing specialty certifications and seeking positions in critical care settings can provide a more favorable pay environment compared to general floor assignments.
More salary data for Johnston, 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 $71,612 for registered nursesin the Johnston 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 Johnston 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