How much does a registered nurse make in Des Moines?
$78,630a year
Median yearly pay for registered nurses in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $37.80 an hour or $6,553 a month.
- Hourly
- $37.80
- Vs. national median
- -19%
- Rank among cities
- 330 of 380
- Jobs in the area
- 8,130
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $64,680Median: $78,630Highest 10%: $100,500
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $64,680 | $31.10 | |
| 25th | $70,070 | $33.69 | |
| Median | $78,630 | $37.80 | |
| 75th | $86,690 | $41.68 | |
| 90th | $100,500 | $48.32 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for registered nurses.
| Iowa City, IA | $85,940 |
| Omaha, NE | $84,600 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $78,370 |
| Ames, IA | $77,160 |
| Davenport, IA | $77,150 |
| Waterloo, IA | $76,920 |
| Dubuque, IA | $76,790 |
| Sioux City, IA | $75,840 |
Related jobs in Des Moines
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $426,300 |
| Psychiatrist | $358,000 |
| Physician | $309,900 |
| Pediatrician | $271,200 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $265,200 |
| Anesthesiologist | $239,200 |
| Physician | $239,200 |
| Radiologist | $239,200 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $237,700 |
| Dentist | $209,300 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make an hour in Des Moines?
The median hourly pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $37.80 ($78,630 a year).
Do registered nurses make more in Des Moines than the national average?
No: $78,630 against $97,550 nationally, 19% less.
How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $78,630, so Des Moines pays 0% more.
Where does Des Moines rank for registered nurse pay?
330 of 380 metro areas with data.
How much does a registered nurse make starting out in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% make $64,680 or less a year; the top 10% make $100,500 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.