Registered Nurse Salary in Ottumwa, IA: $75,598 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Ottumwa, IA earns a median $75,598/year (≈ $36.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Ottumwa's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $83,626 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, registered nurses in Ottumwa, Iowa, can expect a median annual salary of $75,598. The earnings for RNs range from $59,034 at the 10th percentile to $100,591 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the variation in specialization and experience levels within the field. Positions that require advanced specialty certifications, such as Clinical Nurse Specialist (CCRN) or Emergency Nurse (CEN), may command a premium, enhancing base pay due to the specialized skills and competencies these roles require. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, projected into 2026, take into account regional price parities, thus providing a clearer picture of expected compensation in the somewhat modest job market in Ottumwa.
About the Ottumwa Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($71,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,034 | $28.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,224 | $31.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,598 | $36.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,017 | $40.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,591 | $48.36 |
Median Salary Position
26.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ottumwa
In Ottumwa, IA, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,557 (2026 est.). At $75,598, the local median is 26.41% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ottumwa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ottumwa Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Ottumwa median: $75,598/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ottumwa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $81,288 | -7.00% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -26.41% less |
Registered Nurses in Ottumwa, IA earn a median of $75,598 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.41% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 7.00% below the Iowa state average of $81,288.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ottumwa 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.
Ottumwa, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $75,598 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $83,626 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,941
2025 BLS Actual
$71,786
2026 Current Est.
$75,598
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Ottumwa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,941 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,435 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,105 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,769 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,338 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,718 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,786 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,598 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,612 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ottumwa metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $53,941 (2019) to $71,786 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,612 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,671 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ottumwa 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) | $59,034 – $65,224 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,224 – $75,598 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,598 – $85,017 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,017 – $100,591 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Ottumwa
In terms of the local job market for registered nurses, only five RNs are currently employed in the Ottumwa area. The cost-of-living index stands at 90.4, indicating lower living costs compared to national averages, which could bolster the take-home purchasing power for registered nurses here. To maximize registered nurse pay in Ottumwa, it is advisable to seek employment with larger hospital systems, especially those affiliated with Magnet status, which often pay more due to their commitment to nursing excellence and a more robust infrastructure. The pay gap between the low and high ends of the salary spectrum often stems from factors such as shift differentials—for example, night shifts can add an additional $3-7 per hour, while weekends can yield a further $3-5. Additionally, specialty certification stipends or roles in critical care units and travel nursing can significantly enhance earnings. As such, RNs considering their career trajectory in Ottumwa should focus on obtaining relevant certifications and exploring opportunities in higher-paying specialties or shifts to improve their overall compensation.
More salary data for Ottumwa, 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 $71,786 for registered nursesin the Ottumwa 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 Ottumwa 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