RN Salary in Iowa: $78,630 Median (May 2025)
Registered nurses in Iowa earn a median of $78,630 per year — $37.80 an hour — $18,920 below the national median of $97,550, ranking #48 of 51 states and D.C. The middle 80% of Iowa RNs earn between $63,840 and $100,500. 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 RN pay range (May 2025)
Dark band = middle 50% of Iowa RNs (25th–75th percentile). Light band = middle 80%. New grads typically start near the left edge.
Compare Iowa With Any State
Weighing a move, travel contracts, or a compact-state license? Put Iowa side by side with any other market.
| May 2025 BLS | Iowa | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $78,630 | $95,970 |
| Median hourly wage | $37.80/hr | $46.14/hr |
| Entry-level range (10th pct) | $63,840 | $67,120 |
| Experienced (75th pct) | $85,940 | $105,100 |
| Top earners (90th pct) | $100,500 | $127,950 |
| RNs employed | 34,420 | 271,380 |
The path to this salary runs through the NCLEX
Iowa has 54 board-approved nursing programs across 35 schools — compare them by real first-time NCLEX pass rates. Then check what the degree costs against these wages with your own numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in Iowa?
RNs in Iowa earn a median of $78,630 per year — $37.80 per hour — $18,920 below the national median of $97,550 (BLS May 2025). That ranks Iowa #48 of 51 states and D.C. by median RN pay.
What is a starting RN salary in Iowa?
New nurses generally start near the lower percentiles: in Iowa, the 10th percentile is $63,840 and the 25th percentile is $68,290. Most RNs move toward the $78,630 median within their first several years.
What do the highest-paid RNs in Iowa earn?
The top 10% of RNs in Iowa earn above $100,500 per year — typically nurses with specialty certifications, leadership roles, or high-differential schedules.
How many RNs work in Iowa?
34,420 registered nurses are employed in Iowa per the BLS May 2025 estimates.