Registered Nurse Salary in Cedar Rapids, IA
Registered Nurses in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area earn a median $78,370 a year — 20% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $61,637 take-home, or $5,136 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median registered nurse salary in Cedar Rapids, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,411
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,859
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,136
- Iowa income tax$2,326
- Take-home pay$61,637
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.80% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Registered Nurse pay by experience in Cedar Rapids, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,940 | $29.78 | $50,247 | $4,187 |
| 25th percentile | $67,220 | $32.32 | $54,217 | $4,518 |
| Median (50th) | $78,370 | $37.68 | $61,637 | $5,136 |
| 75th percentile | $92,570 | $44.50 | $71,087 | $5,924 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,250 | $49.16 | $77,529 | $6,461 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $78,370 buys in Cedar Rapids, IA
Prices in Cedar Rapids, IA are 11.0% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 29% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median registered nurse's $61,637 take-home pay has the buying power of $69,284 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Registered Nurse jobs are about as common in Cedar Rapids, IA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.95).
Best-paying cities for registered nurses, adjusted for cost of living
Cedar Rapids, IA ranks #146 of 206 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $216,740 | $142,511 | $129,059 |
| 2 | Vallejo, CA | $203,290 | $134,031 | $123,555 |
| 3 | Santa Rosa, CA | $174,550 | $116,298 | $107,899 |
| 4 | Sacramento, CA | $171,460 | $114,514 | $107,353 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $186,610 | $123,394 | $106,730 |
| 6 | Bend, OR | $135,010 | $92,480 | $89,260 |
| 7 | Bakersfield, CA | $128,810 | $89,883 | $89,094 |
| 8 | Seattle, WA | $128,260 | $98,932 | $89,021 |
| 146 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $78,370 | $61,637 | $69,284 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 206 metros →
About the job: registered nurses
Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.6% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Registered Nurse salaries elsewhere in Iowa
- Iowa City, IA — $85,940
- Davenport, IA — $77,150
- Des Moines, IA — $78,630
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make in Cedar Rapids, IA?
The median registered nurse salary in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area is $78,370 a year, or about $37.68 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $67,220 and $92,570.
What is a registered nurse’s take-home pay in Cedar Rapids, IA?
On the median $78,370 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $61,637 a year ($5,136 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,326 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Cedar Rapids, IA a good place to work as a registered nurse?
Pay here is 20% below the national median of $97,550. Local prices are 11.0% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $69,284 would in a typical U.S. city. Cedar Rapids, IA ranks #146 of 206 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a registered nurse afford rent in Cedar Rapids, IA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Cedar Rapids, IA is $800 a month ($1,049 for two bedrooms) — 16% of a median registered nurse’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.