Registered Nurse Salary in Des Moines, IA
Registered Nurses in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median $78,630 a year — 19% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $61,810 take-home, or $5,151 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median registered nurse salary in Des Moines, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,469
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,875
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,140
- Iowa income tax$2,336
- Take-home pay$61,810
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.80% state
Registered Nurse pay by experience in Des Moines, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,680 | $31.10 | $52,344 | $4,362 |
| 25th percentile | $70,070 | $33.69 | $56,113 | $4,676 |
| Median (50th) | $78,630 | $37.80 | $61,810 | $5,151 |
| 75th percentile | $86,690 | $41.68 | $67,174 | $5,598 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,500 | $48.32 | $76,365 | $6,364 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $78,630 buys in Des Moines, IA
Prices in Des Moines, IA are 8.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 15% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median registered nurse's $61,810 take-home pay has the buying power of $67,404 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 Des Moines, IA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.93).
Best-paying cities for registered nurses, adjusted for cost of living
Des Moines, IA ranks #322 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 |
| 322 | Des Moines, IA | $78,630 | $61,810 | $67,404 |
*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
- Ames, IA — $77,160
- Davenport, IA — $77,150
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make in Des Moines, IA?
The median registered nurse salary in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $78,630 a year, or about $37.80 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $70,070 and $86,690.
What is a registered nurse’s take-home pay in Des Moines, IA?
On the median $78,630 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $61,810 a year ($5,151 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,336 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Des Moines, IA a good place to work as a registered nurse?
Pay here is 19% below the national median of $97,550. Local prices are 8.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $67,404 would in a typical U.S. city. Des Moines, IA ranks #322 of 370 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a registered nurse afford rent in Des Moines, IA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Des Moines, IA is $1,092 a month ($1,302 for two bedrooms) — 21% of a median registered nurse’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Des Moines, IA
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- Pharmacist — $141,110
- Nurse Practitioner — $132,230
- Physical Therapist — $97,790
- Dental Hygienist — $93,660
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $67,640
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $63,670
- Medical Records Specialist — $54,270
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $50,240
- Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other — $49,960
- Pharmacy Technician — $46,620