Registered Nurse Salary in West Des Moines, IA: $81,735 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in West Des Moines, IA earns a median $81,735/year (≈ $39.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in West Des Moines's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $90,415 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% above the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the registered nurse salary in West Des Moines is projected to reach a median of $81,735, a figure that shows a notable divergence from the national average of $102,730. As reported, the salary range spans from $59,641 at the 10th percentile to $115,046 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a varied compensation structure influenced by factors like experience and specialty certifications. These wage estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost of living, reflect how nurses working weekend and night shifts can capitalize on significant pay differentials of $3 to $7 per hour. West Des Moines represents a robust job market for registered nurses, offering promising prospects for both new graduates and seasoned professionals.
About the West Des Moines Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($71,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,641 | $28.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,315 | $31.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,735 | $39.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,665 | $45.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $115,046 | $55.31 |
Median Salary Position
20.44% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in West Des Moines
In West Des Moines, IA, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,405 (2026 est.). At $81,735, the local median is 20.44% below the national median of $102,730.
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At 40 hours/week in West Des Moines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How West Des Moines Registered Nurse Pay Compares
West Des Moines median: $81,735/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | West Des Moines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $81,248 | +0.60% more |
| National Average | $102,730 | -20.44% less |
Registered Nurses in West Des Moines, IA earn a median of $81,735 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.44% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 0.60% above the Iowa state average of $81,248.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
West Des Moines 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.
West Des Moines, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $81,735 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $90,415 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,320
2025 BLS Actual
$77,614
2026 Current Est.
$81,735
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in West Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,320 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,935 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,741 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,621 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,721 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,614 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,735 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,075 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the West Des Moines metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $58,320 (2019) to $77,614 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,075 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,755 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the West 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) | $59,641 – $66,315 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,315 – $81,735 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,735 – $94,665 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,665 – $115,046 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in West Des Moines
The current landscape for registered nurse pay in West Des Moines, IA, is shaped by a workforce of 16 registered nurses, complemented by a relatively low cost of living index at 90.4. This translates to favorable take-home buying power for RNs in the area. Notably, local employers such as hospitals with specialized units—sometimes designated as magnet-status—often present the highest pay structures, particularly in acute care, ICU, and emergency departments. The variances in compensation within West Des Moines can be attributed to shift differentials and specialty certifications, compelling nurses to consider opportunities in travel nursing or positions demanding unique skills. Charge nurse roles and on-call assignments also earn higher wages, emphasizing the importance of strategic career choices and skill enhancement in this particular market.
More salary data for West 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 $77,614 for registered nursesin the West 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
Salary data for West Des Moines 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