How much does a Registered Nurse make in Iowa?

The average Registered Nurse salary in Iowa is around $86,000 per year. After federal taxes, FICA, and Iowa state taxes, your estimated take-home pay is approximately $66,675 annually ($5,556/month).

What is the take-home pay for a Registered Nurse in Iowa?

On a $86,000 salary in Iowa, your take-home pay is approximately $66,675/year or $5,556/month. Federal tax: $10,090. State tax: $2,656. FICA: $0.00.

Is $86,000 a good Registered Nurse salary?

$86,000 is a competitive salary for a Registered Nurse — above the national median. In Iowa, demand for this role is active.

How do Iowa taxes affect Registered Nurse salaries?

Iowa levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $86,000 is $2,656. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 22.5%.

What are the career growth prospects for Registered Nurses?

6% growth through 2032 (faster than average). Related roles include: LPN, Nurse Practitioner, Travel Nurse, ICU Nurse.

How can a Registered Nurse in Iowa reduce their tax bill?

Maximize your 401(k) contribution ($24,500 in 2026) to reduce taxable income. An HSA ($4,400 single / $8,750 family) adds further pre-tax savings. These strategies can save thousands annually — use our calculator to see your exact savings.

Healthcare

Registered Nurse Salary in Iowa (2026)

The average Registered Nurse in Iowa earns around $86,000/year. After taxes, your estimated take-home is $66,675/year ($5,556/month).

Take-Home Pay Breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$66,675
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$5,556
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$2,564
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$32/hr
Federal Tax	$10,090
State Tax	$2,656
FICA Taxes	$6,579
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	22.47%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

Want to model 401(k), HSA, or pre-tax contributions against your full salary? Open the salary calculator →

Working overtime? The 2025 OBBBA deduction may save you up to $12,500 on federal tax. Open the No Tax on Overtime calculator →

Got a year-end bonus, sign-on, or retention payout? See the bonus calculator →

1099 contract work or side gigs? Self-employment tax adds 15.3% on top. Open the 1099 tax calculator →

Key terms:···

Registered Nurse Salary Ranges in Iowa

Entry Level (0–3 yrs)

$67,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Mid Level (3–7 yrs)

$86,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Senior Level (7+ yrs)

$133,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Not all Registered Nurses earn the same — not even close

Iowa's nursing market is anchored by UnityPoint Health (largest IA-HQ multi-state health system ~30K employees + UnityPoint Methodist Des Moines + UnityPoint St Luke Cedar Rapids + UnityPoint Allen Waterloo + UnityPoint Trinity Quad Cities + multi-state IA + IL + WI), University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics UIHC Iowa City (only IA Level 1 trauma + Holden Cancer Center NCI + Stead Family Childrens + ~12K UIHC employees + Magnet designation), MercyOne Trinity Health Catholic (MercyOne Des Moines + Cedar Rapids + Waterloo + Sioux City), Genesis Health Davenport + Mercy Iowa City + the substantial IA community hospitals, plus IA NP Full Practice Authority since 2016 + NLC Nurse Licensure Compact since 2018, UI College of Nursing + ISU Nursing + UNI + Drake + Allen College Waterloo + Mercy College Sioux City + Iowa Western CC Nursing pipelines.

CRNA (UIHC / UnityPoint / MercyOne)

$195,000–$275,000+ OT

CRNA at UIHC + UnityPoint + MercyOne · the substantial IA anesthesia + OBBBA OT applies

Senior NP (UnityPoint / MercyOne FPA)

$105,000–$148,000+ bonus

NP at UnityPoint + MercyOne + UIHC · IA FPA since 2016

Senior Charge Nurse (UIHC / UnityPoint)

$88,000–$125,000+ OT

Charge RN at UIHC + UnityPoint + MercyOne · OBBBA OT applies

Senior ICU / ED RN

$82,000–$118,000+ OT

ICU + ED RN at UIHC Level 1 + UnityPoint · the substantial IA acute care + OT

Senior OR RN

$78,000–$115,000+ OT

OR RN at UIHC + UnityPoint + MercyOne · the substantial IA surgical + OT

Senior Pediatric RN (Stead Family Childrens)

$78,000–$112,000+ OT

Stead Family Childrens Hospital UIHC · the substantial IA pediatric + OBBBA OT

Senior Oncology RN (Holden Cancer)

$82,000–$118,000+ OT

Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center · the only IA NCI oncology RN + OBBBA OT

Senior School / Public Health RN

$55,000–$78,000

IA public schools + Polk County Health · school + community health RN

Senior Federal Civilian RN (VA Iowa City)

$78,000–$115,000

VA Iowa City Health Care System + VA Central Iowa Des Moines · federal civilian RN

New RN (Step 1-3 / UnityPoint / UIHC)

$58,000–$78,000+ OT

New grad RN at UnityPoint + UIHC residency programs · entry band + OT

Worth knowing: UnityPoint Health multi-state + UIHC + MercyOne Trinity Health Catholic tri-system is one of the country's distinctive concentrated US single-state multi-system nursing employer anchor and a feature most national nursing surveys understate for IA. UnityPoint Health (largest IA-HQ multi-state health system + ~30K + the substantial UnityPoint post-2010 Iowa Health System rebrand + UnityPoint Methodist Des Moines + UnityPoint St Luke Cedar Rapids + UnityPoint Allen Waterloo + UnityPoint Trinity Quad Cities Bettendorf + the substantial UnityPoint multi-state IA + IL + WI + the substantial UnityPoint Magnet designations) supports substantial IA nursing. Senior UnityPoint RNs clear $82-118K+ OT. UIHC (the only IA Level 1 + Holden Cancer NCI + Stead Family Childrens + the substantial UIHC Magnet designation + ~12K + the substantial UIHC ~750+ beds) + MercyOne Trinity Health Catholic + Genesis Davenport + Mercy Iowa City supports broad IA nursing. IA NP Full Practice Authority since 2016 (HF 645 of 2016 + the substantial IA NP independent practice + the substantial IA rural NP practice) supports distinctive IA NP independent practice economics. IA NLC since 2018 supports multi-state nursing mobility. The 2025 No Tax on Overtime federal deduction applies through 2028. IA flat 3.8% + IA RTW since 1947 + IA inheritance tax repealed Jan 1 2025 + IA property tax ~1.50% anchor the IA nursing proposition.