Iowa ranks 48th of 51 states and D.C. for registered nurses pay, trailing top-paying California ($140,330) by $63,370 — a 82% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $62,210 to $98,280 — a $36,070 spread, 48% tighter than the national $69,290 range.
Iowa employs roughly 1.0% of all registered nurses in the country (33,480 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $62,210 | $29.91 |
| 25th percentile | $65,770 | $31.62 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $76,960 | $37.00 |
| 75th percentile | $83,200 | $40.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,280 | $47.25 |
| Mean (average) | $77,780 | $37.39 |
How Iowa Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa (current) | $76,960 | n/a |
| California | $140,330 | +82% |
| Hawaii | $136,320 | +77% |
| Oregon | $123,990 | +61% |
| Washington | $112,180 | +46% |
| Alaska | $110,690 | +44% |
| New York | $105,600 | +37% |
| District of Columbia | $104,550 | +36% |
| New Jersey | $102,730 | +33% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Iowa
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Surveyors | $76,720 | 450 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $77,440 | 380 |
| Credit Analysts | $76,460 | 640 |
| Cost Estimators | $76,290 | 2,090 |
| Insurance Underwriters | $77,660 | 1,730 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $77,940 | 10,120 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Registered Nurses salary in Iowa?
The mean registered nurses salary in Iowa is $77,780 per year. The median (middle) salary is $76,960 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Registered Nurses in Iowa?
Entry-level registered nursess (10th percentile) in Iowa typically earn around $62,210 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $65,770 per year.
What is the highest Registered Nurses salary in Iowa?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Iowa make approximately $98,280 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $83,200 per year.
How does the Iowa Registered Nurses salary compare to the national average?
The median registered nurses salary in Iowa is $76,960, which is -18% below national average of $93,600.