Registered Nurse salary in Iowa City, IA
Registered Nurses in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn a median of $85,940 a year ($41.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,090 workers.
Pay ranges from $70,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,150 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $97,550. Pay here is 9% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $78,630. There are 44 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $85,670, close to the median.
Pay range for registered nurses in Iowa City, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $70,290 | $33.79 |
| 25th percentile | $70,290 | $33.79 |
| Median | $85,940 | $41.32 |
| 75th percentile | $92,700 | $44.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,150 | $51.03 |
| Average (mean) | $85,670 | $41.19 |
Half of registered nurses earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,161.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,580.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,305.38 |
| Weekly | $1,652.69 |
| Hourly | $41.32 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $85,940 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Registered Nurse salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $84,600 | 13,200 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $78,630 | 8,130 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $78,370 | 2,880 |
| Ames, IA | $77,160 | 1,070 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $77,150 | 3,520 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $76,920 | 1,890 |
| Dubuque, IA | $76,790 | 1,280 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $75,840 | 1,600 |
Highest-paying states for registered nurses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $140,270 |
| Hawaii | $136,320 |
| Oregon | $129,010 |
| Washington | $124,200 |
| Alaska | $109,480 |
| New York | $109,440 |
| New Jersey | $106,500 |
| Massachusetts | $104,550 |
| Nevada | $103,670 |
| Connecticut | $102,740 |
See Registered Nurse pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Iowa City, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physicians, All Other | $257,340 | $123.72 |
| Pharmacist | $142,530 | $68.53 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,030 | $62.04 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,770 | $64.79 |
| Physical Therapist | $94,480 | $45.42 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $86,880 | $41.77 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $75,110 | $36.11 |
| Dental Hygienist | $92,020 | $44.24 |
| Chiropractor | $77,970 | $37.49 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $82,590 | $39.71 |
| Occupational Therapist | $91,560 | $44.02 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $78,960 | $37.96 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $65,420 | $31.45 |
| Dentists, General | $199,410 | $95.87 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Iowa City, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1141. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make in Iowa City, IA?
The median salary for registered nurses in the Iowa City, IA metro area is $85,940 a year, or $41.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $70,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Iowa City, IA?
The top 10% of registered nurses in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn at least $106,150 a year. The top 25% earn $92,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Iowa City, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $70,290 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $70,290 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Iowa City, IA?
About 4,090 registered nurses are employed in the Iowa City, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.