Registered Nurse Salary in Muscatine, IA: $75,885 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Muscatine, IA earns a median $75,885/year (≈ $36.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Muscatine's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $83,944 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Registered nurses in Muscatine, Iowa, can expect a median annual salary of $75,885 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $102,730. The salary range varies widely from $59,661 at the lower percentile (P10) to $101,328 at the higher end (P90), indicating a diverse pay scale based on experience and specialization. These estimates derive from 2025 BLS state-level data and reflect regional price adjustments. Although the local median salary may be attractive on its own, it highlights a significant pay differential between staff nurses and traveling nurses, pushing some hospitals and facilities to offer competitive salaries and benefits to attract qualified candidates amidst ongoing workforce shortages.
About the Muscatine Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($71,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,661 | $28.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,824 | $31.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,885 | $36.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,729 | $41.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,328 | $48.72 |
Median Salary Position
26.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Muscatine
In Muscatine, IA, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,667 (2026 est.). At $75,885, the local median is 26.13% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Muscatine: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Muscatine Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Muscatine median: $75,885/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Muscatine Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $81,248 | -6.60% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -26.13% less |
Registered Nurses in Muscatine, IA earn a median of $75,885 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.13% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 6.60% below the Iowa state average of $81,248.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Muscatine 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.
Muscatine, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $75,885 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $83,944 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,146
2025 BLS Actual
$72,059
2026 Current Est.
$75,885
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Muscatine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,146 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,645 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,322 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,996 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,579 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,944 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,059 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,885 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,915 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Muscatine metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $54,146 (2019) to $72,059 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,915 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,769 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Muscatine 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) | $59,661 – $65,824 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,824 – $75,885 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,885 – $85,729 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,729 – $101,328 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Muscatine
The job market for registered nurses in Muscatine involves only five RNs currently employed, suggesting a tight supply in this area. With a cost-of-living index of 90.4, potential earnings allow for reasonable purchasing power, yet they still fall short compared to more metropolitan settings. Major employers like local hospital systems often provide the highest compensation, especially within critical care units such as ICU and ED settings. Factors contributing to salary variance include shift differentials, which may offer an additional $3-$7 per hour for night shifts or weekends, as well as bonuses for specialty certification and leadership roles. To maximize registered nurse pay in Muscatine, focusing on gaining specialty certifications, seeking out positions in high-demand areas, and considering shift options can significantly enhance earning potential while also addressing local healthcare needs.
More salary data for Muscatine, 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 $72,059 for registered nursesin the Muscatine 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 Muscatine 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