Registered Nurse Salary in Marion, IA: $79,896 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Marion, IA earns a median $79,896/year (≈ $38.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Marion's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $88,381 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Marion, Iowa, the registered nurse salary is projected to reach a median annual figure of $79,896 in 2026, significantly lower than the national median of $102,730. Local salaries range from $56,939 at the 10th percentile to $108,240 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a variety of factors including experience, specialty certifications, and the work setting. Registered nurses with specialized credentials, such as Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) or Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN), may command additional premiums above the base pay, which can enhance their earning potential. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional considerations, and underscore the competitive nature of nursing roles in Marion’s healthcare landscape.
About the Marion Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($71,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,939 | $27.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,319 | $31.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,896 | $38.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90,562 | $43.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,240 | $52.03 |
Median Salary Position
22.23% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Marion
In Marion, IA, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,301 (2026 est.). At $79,896, the local median is 22.23% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Marion: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Marion Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Marion median: $79,896/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Marion Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $81,277 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -22.23% less |
Registered Nurses in Marion, IA earn a median of $79,896 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.23% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 1.70% below the Iowa state average of $81,277.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Marion 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.
Marion, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $79,896 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $88,381 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,007
2025 BLS Actual
$75,867
2026 Current Est.
$79,896
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Marion (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,007 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,586 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,351 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,167 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,939 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,113 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,867 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,896 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,138 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Marion metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $57,007 (2019) to $75,867 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,138 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,131 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Marion 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) | $56,939 – $65,319 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,319 – $79,896 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,896 – $90,562 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $90,562 – $108,240 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Marion
The nursing job market in Marion remains tight, with only six registered nurses employed locally, which may limit job opportunities but could favor those actively seeking positions. The cost of living index in Marion stands at 90.4, which is below the national average, offering a different purchasing power picture for RNs compared to larger urban markets. Employers like local hospital systems that operate acute care or emergency departments generally provide the highest wages, often supplemented by shift differentials for night and weekend shifts that can add $3 to $7 per hour. To enhance earning potential in Marion, pursuing specialty certifications, seeking roles in high-demand areas, and considering travel nursing can be strategic moves, leveraging the flexibility and higher compensation associated with those positions. Understanding the nuances of local pay structures and compensation models—like those provided by magnet-status hospitals—can significantly impact a registered nurse's overall financial well-being in Marion, IA.
More salary data for Marion, 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 $75,867 for registered nursesin the Marion 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 Marion 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