Nurse Practitioner Pay

Iowa City vs North Liberty: Nurse Practitioner Salary (2026)

Compare nurse practitioner salaries between Iowa City, IA and North Liberty, IA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Iowa City, IA
$133,482
$64.18/hr
North Liberty, IA
$126,182
$60.66/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricIowa City, IANorth Liberty, IA
Median Salary$133,482$126,182
Hourly Rate$64.18$60.66
Entry Level (P10)$117,995$98,640
25th Percentile$133,482$119,861
75th Percentile$146,165$147,878
Top Earner (P90)$161,920$160,311
Total Employed3306
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Iowa City ($133,482) and North Liberty ($126,182) nurse practitioner salaries.Iowa CityNorth LibertyMedian Salary$133,482$126,182Entry Level (P10)$117,995$98,640Top Earner (P90)$161,920$160,311US Median $136,864

Verdict

Iowa City, IA offers better overall compensation for nurse practitioners, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to North Liberty.

The salary gap between Iowa City and North Liberty is $7,300 (5.79%). Iowa City's median is -2.47% compared to the US national median of $136,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Iowa City spans $43,925,North Liberty spans $61,671. North Liberty has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse practitioners.

Iowa City
P10 (Entry)$117,995
P25$133,482
Median$133,482
P75$146,165
P90 (Top)$161,920
North Liberty
P10 (Entry)$98,640
P25$119,861
Median$126,182
P75$147,878
P90 (Top)$160,311

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Iowa City ($145,868 effective) pays 4.50% more than North Liberty ($139,582 effective).

Iowa City
Nominal: $133,482
CoL Index: 91.509
Adjusted: $145,868
North Liberty
Nominal: $126,182
CoL Index: 90.4
Adjusted: $139,582

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Iowa City if…

  • Higher median salary ($133,482/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($161,920)
  • Larger job market (330 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $145,868)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Choose North Liberty if…

  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse practitioner salaries in Iowa City grew 11.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 14.5% growth in North Liberty over the same period.

Iowa City, IA

+11.8%

$115,370 (2019) → $129,030 (2025)

North Liberty, IA

+14.5%

$106,564 (2024) → $121,974 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse practitioners more: Iowa City or North Liberty?

Iowa City has a higher median nurse practitioner salary at $133,482/year, compared to North Liberty at $126,182/year — a difference of $7,300 (5.79%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Iowa City and North Liberty?

Iowa City nurse practitioners earn $64.18/hr while North Liberty hygienists earn $60.66/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Iowa City to North Liberty as a nurse practitioner?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Iowa City and North Liberty. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Iowa City = $145,868, North Liberty = $139,582), job availability (330 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse practitioners earn in Iowa City vs North Liberty?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse practitioners earn $117,995 in Iowa City and $98,640 in North Liberty. The Iowa City area offers higher starting salaries.
MG

Written by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C

Career Analyst

Maria has 10 years of experience in adult healthcare. She works in a community health clinic. Her specialty is chronic disease management.

Clinically reviewed by James Patel, DNP, APRNData verified by Aisha Khan, MSN, FNP-BC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.45% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C, a licensed nurse practitioner with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov