Registered Nurse Salary in Ames, IA
Registered Nurses in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median $77,160 a year — 21% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $60,832 take-home, or $5,069 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median registered nurse salary in Ames, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,145
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,784
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,119
- Iowa income tax$2,280
- Take-home pay$60,832
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.80% state
Registered Nurse pay by experience in Ames, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,360 | $30.94 | $52,099 | $4,342 |
| 25th percentile | $67,280 | $32.35 | $54,257 | $4,521 |
| Median (50th) | $77,160 | $37.10 | $60,832 | $5,069 |
| 75th percentile | $80,900 | $38.89 | $63,321 | $5,277 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,440 | $47.81 | $75,659 | $6,305 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $77,160 buys in Ames, IA
Prices in Ames, IA are 11.2% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 31% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median registered nurse's $60,832 take-home pay has the buying power of $68,481 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 Ames, IA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.88).
Best-paying cities for registered nurses, adjusted for cost of living
Ames, IA ranks #294 of 370 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 | Santa Cruz, CA | $170,960 | $114,225 | $103,939 |
| 7 | Yuba City, CA | $149,320 | $101,728 | $97,597 |
| 8 | Olympia, WA | $125,020 | $96,717 | $93,293 |
| 294 | Ames, IA | $77,160 | $60,832 | $68,481 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 370 metros →
Registered Nurse salaries elsewhere in Iowa
- Iowa City, IA — $85,940
- Waterloo, IA — $76,920
- Dubuque, IA — $76,790
- Sioux City, IA — $75,840
- Cedar Rapids, IA — $78,370
- Davenport, IA — $77,150
- Des Moines, IA — $78,630
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make in Ames, IA?
The median registered nurse salary in the Ames, IA metro area is $77,160 a year, or about $37.10 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $67,280 and $80,900.
What is a registered nurse’s take-home pay in Ames, IA?
On the median $77,160 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $60,832 a year ($5,069 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,280 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Ames, IA a good place to work as a registered nurse?
Pay here is 21% below the national median of $97,550. Local prices are 11.2% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $68,481 would in a typical U.S. city. Ames, IA ranks #294 of 370 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a registered nurse afford rent in Ames, IA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Ames, IA is $975 a month ($1,126 for two bedrooms) — 19% of a median registered nurse’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.