Nurse Practitioner Salary in Iowa: $130,160 Median (May 2025)
Nurse practitioners in Iowa earn a median of $130,160 per year — $62.58 an hour — $2,140 below the national NP median of $132,300, ranking #32 of 51 states and D.C. The middle 80% of Iowa NPs earn between $107,990 and $167,590. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — the federal wage survey, not job-board self-reports.
Iowa NP pay range (May 2025)
Dark band = middle 50% of Iowa NPs (25th–75th percentile). Light band = middle 80%. New NPs typically start near the left edge.
NP vs RN Pay in Iowa
The median NP in Iowa out-earns the median RN by $51,530 per year (66%). Same state, same license underneath — the difference is the graduate degree and the scope that comes with it.
Compare Iowa With Any State
Weighing a move, telehealth, or a compact-state license? Put Iowa side by side with any other NP market.
| May 2025 BLS | Iowa | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $130,160 | $131,670 |
| Median hourly wage | $62.58/hr | $63.31/hr |
| Entry-level range (10th pct) | $107,990 | $96,880 |
| Experienced (75th pct) | $141,940 | $147,660 |
| Top earners (90th pct) | $167,590 | $161,980 |
| NPs employed | 3,240 | 25,970 |
The NP path starts with an RN license
Every NP passed the NCLEX first. If you’re earlier on the ladder: compare Iowa’s board-approved nursing programs by real first-time pass rates, and see the full earning ladder from CNA to CRNA.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse practitioners make in Iowa?
NPs in Iowa earn a median of $130,160 per year — $62.58 per hour — $2,140 below the national NP median of $132,300 (BLS May 2025). That ranks Iowa #32 of 51 states and D.C. by median NP pay.
How much more do NPs make than RNs in Iowa?
The median NP in Iowa earns $130,160 versus $78,630 for the median RN — a difference of $51,530 per year (66%). The step up requires a master's or doctoral NP program on top of the RN license.
What is a starting NP salary in Iowa?
New NPs generally start near the lower percentiles: in Iowa, the 10th percentile is $107,990 and the 25th percentile is $122,720. Most NPs move toward the $130,160 median within their first several years of practice.
How many nurse practitioners work in Iowa?
3,240 nurse practitioners are employed in Iowa per the BLS May 2025 estimates.