Registered Nurse Salary in Iowa City, IA
Registered Nurses in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn a median $85,940 a year — 12% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $66,675 take-home, or $5,556 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median registered nurse salary in Iowa City, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$10,077
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,328
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,246
- Iowa income tax$2,614
- Take-home pay$66,675
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.80% state
Registered Nurse pay by experience in Iowa City, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $70,290 | $33.79 | $56,260 | $4,688 |
| 25th percentile | $70,290 | $33.79 | $56,260 | $4,688 |
| Median (50th) | $85,940 | $41.32 | $66,675 | $5,556 |
| 75th percentile | $92,700 | $44.57 | $71,174 | $5,931 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,150 | $51.03 | $80,125 | $6,677 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $85,940 buys in Iowa City, IA
Prices in Iowa City, IA are 8.5% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 16% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median registered nurse's $66,675 take-home pay has the buying power of $72,862 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Iowa City, IA has 2.0× the national concentration of registered nurse jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for registered nurses, adjusted for cost of living
Iowa City, IA ranks #89 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 |
| 89 | Iowa City, IA | $85,940 | $66,675 | $72,862 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 206 metros →
Registered Nurse salaries elsewhere in Iowa
- 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 Iowa City, IA?
The median registered nurse salary in the Iowa City, IA metro area is $85,940 a year, or about $41.32 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $70,290 and $92,700.
What is a registered nurse’s take-home pay in Iowa City, IA?
On the median $85,940 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $66,675 a year ($5,556 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,614 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Iowa City, IA a good place to work as a registered nurse?
Pay here is 12% below the national median of $97,550. Local prices are 8.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $72,862 would in a typical U.S. city. Iowa City, IA ranks #89 of 206 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a registered nurse afford rent in Iowa City, IA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Iowa City, IA is $932 a month ($1,118 for two bedrooms) — 17% of a median registered nurse’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.