Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay in Des Moines, IA: $65.76 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse practitioner working in Des Moines, IA runs $65.76 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $136,792 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Weighted against Des Moines's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.7, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $71.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,072 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Des Moines, Iowa, the nurse practitioner hourly pay stands at $65.76, making it slightly below the national median of $65.80. This rate presents a viable income for those seeking part-time roles, such as working three days a week in various healthcare settings, including primary care clinics and urgent care facilities. Nurse practitioners in this city can expect to earn from $56.43 at the entry level to as much as $83.04 for top earners. Such an hourly wage allows for diverse work arrangements, which is particularly attractive for those who may also pursue per diem roles in environments like retail clinics or telehealth platforms, where flexibility is key. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected to 2026, provides a solid foundation for understanding the financial landscape of the profession in Des Moines.
Nurse Practitioner Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56.43 | $451.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63.71 | $509.72 |
| Median (P50) | $65.76 | $526.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70.59 | $564.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83.04 | $664.31 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Des Moines
Based on $65.76/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.76/hr, a nurse practitioner working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Des Moines, IA can expect to earn approximately $136,787 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,916. With a cost-of-living index of 91.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Des Moines.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Des Moines
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,630.53 | $11,399 | $136,787 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,578.32 | $6,839 | $82,072 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,052.21 | $4,560 | $54,715 |
Compare NP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner (Des Moines) | $65.76 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $63.20 |
| Nurse Anesthetist (National Avg) | $103.40 |
| Nurse Midwife (National Avg) | $63.85 |
Nurse Practitioners in Des Moines, IA earn a median of $136,792 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.05% lower than the national median of $136,864 and 2.20% above the Iowa state average of $133,847.
Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.76/hr = $82,072/year (purchasing power: $89,500).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $136,787/year (purchasing power: $149,167).
CoL index: 91.701 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$47.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.57/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.76/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47.97/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $47.13/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.40/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $60.80/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.38/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.57/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.76/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.03/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse practitioners in Des Moines grew 32.5% from $47.97/hr (2019) to $63.57/hr (2025). At a 3.45% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.03/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem nurse practitioners can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Moines metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.45% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Nurse Practitioner in Des Moines
For nurse practitioners considering part-time work in Des Moines, a three-day workweek totaling around 24 hours translates to an approximate annual take-home pay of $81,091, significantly less than a full-time salary but still appealing for those valuing work-life balance. Per diem and locum tenens opportunities present an alternative, with rates ranging from $80 to $140 per hour depending on specialty, while psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) providing telehealth services may command between $150 and $200 per hour. Hourly rates can differ substantially based on employer types—hospital outpatient clinics, independent primary care practices, urgent care chains, and community health centers in the area exhibit varying compensation structures. While some may opt for lower-paying roles with comprehensive benefits, others prefer the higher pay offered by positions with little or no benefits. For effective negotiation, nurse practitioners should research local market rates and be prepared to articulate their value, ultimately ensuring a balance between compensation and personal job satisfaction in the evolving healthcare landscape of Des Moines, IA.
More salary data for Des Moines, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for nurse practitioners in Des Moines. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.45%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse practitioners (SOC 29-1171).
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