Salary distribution
Where Iowa registered nurses fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $65,770 and $83,200, with a median of $76,960.
Registered Nurses in Iowa: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 26 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $71,490. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level II — qualified | 22 | $70,044 |
| Level III — experienced | 1 | $78,416 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Registered Nurses in Iowa. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genesis Health System | Registered Nurse- NCSS Float | 22 | $70,044 |
| Genesis Health | Registered Nurse- NCSS Float | 1 | $96,138 |
| Genesis Health Inc | Registered Nurse- NCSS Float | 1 | $69,202 |
| Pella Regional Health Center | OB Clinical Resource Specialist | 1 | $72,633 |
| Bishop Drumm Retirement Center | Unit Manager | 1 | $78,416 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Specialty Nurse “ Med Surg - Advanced RN at Genesis Health System$67,870DavenportDecided Dec 15, 2025I-200-25342-464811
- Registered Nurse- NCSS Float at Genesis Health$96,138DavenportDecided Nov 14, 2025I-200-25307-361003
- Registered Nurse- NCSS Float at Genesis Health Inc$69,202DavenportWage Level IIDecided Aug 25, 2025I-200-25230-248154
- OB Clinical Resource Specialist at Pella Regional Health Center$72,633PellaWage Level IIDecided Jun 5, 2025I-200-25149-031444
- Registered Nurse- NCSS Float at Genesis Health System$65,000DavenportWage Level IIDecided Jun 5, 2025I-200-25149-030950
- Registered Nurse- NCSS Float at Genesis Health System$81,973DavenportWage Level IIDecided May 22, 2025I-200-25135-979493
- Registered Nurse- NCSS Float at Genesis Health System$74,464DavenportWage Level IIDecided May 16, 2025I-200-25129-958174
- Registered Nurse- NCSS Float at Genesis Health System$76,274DavenportWage Level IIDecided May 16, 2025I-200-25129-958127
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Registered Nurses pay by experience level in Iowa
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Registered Nurses specialties in Iowa
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 23 certified offers. The most common variant is Registered Nurse- NCSS Float at a median of $72,509.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse- NCSS Float | Genesis Health System | 20 | $72,509 |
| Advanced Registered Nurse | Genesis Health System | 3 | $67,870 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Iowa over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
Psychology
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge
- 4.2 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Deductive Reasoning
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Social Perceptiveness
Technical
- 4.1 / 5
Problem Sensitivity
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Record patients' medical information and vital signs.
- 02
Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.
- 03
Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.
- 04
Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions.
- 05
Provide health care, first aid, immunizations, or assistance in convalescence or rehabilitation in locations such as schools, hospitals, or industry.
- 06
Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.
- 07
Direct or supervise less-skilled nursing or healthcare personnel or supervise a particular unit.
- 08
Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.9%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Registered Nurses in Iowa?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Registered Nurses in Iowa is $76,960.
- How does Iowa compare to the national median for Registered Nurses?
- The Iowa median is -18.6% versus the BLS national figure of $94,511.
- What is the salary range for Registered Nurses in Iowa?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $62,210 and the 90th-percentile at $98,280, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Registered Nurses a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.9% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Registered Nurses?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.