Nurse Practitioner Salary in Iowa: $134,315 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Iowa's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median nurse practitioner pay sits at $134,315/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1171. Because Iowa sits at BEA RPP 90.4 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $148,579 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Des Moines ($132,230), West Des Moines ($130,522), Davenport ($130,400).
In 2026, the average median salary for nurse practitioners in Iowa is projected to be $134,314, which is slightly below the national average of $136,864, reflecting a 1.9% difference. The highest-paying city in Iowa is Des Moines, where nurse practitioners can expect to earn $136,792, while the lowest is Fort Dodge, with a salary of $122,821. This $13,971 salary gap can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of medical facilities in urban areas compared to rural ones. Iowa has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that influence the employment landscape for nurse practitioners. The state allows nurse practitioners to practice independently, which enhances job opportunities. The overall job market shows a projected annual growth rate of 3.45% for the profession, driven by an increasing demand for healthcare services and an aging population. The top five cities for nurse practitioner salaries in 2026 include West Des Moines at $135,025, Davenport at $134,899, Cedar Rapids at $134,371, and Dubuque at $134,092. This trend indicates that urban centers generally offer higher compensation, reflecting their larger patient populations and healthcare infrastructure.
Iowa Nurse Practitioner Salary Range
Overall salary range in Iowa: $82,408 (lowest entry-level) to $178,368 (highest top earner)
Iowa vs National Average
Iowa nurse practitioners earn 1.86% less than the national median ($-2,549/year difference).
Iowa Nurse Practitioner Salary Distribution (2026)
Nurse Practitioner salaries in Iowa range from $112,333 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $170,653 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $134,315. The Iowa median is $2,549 below the US national median of $136,864. The average hourly rate is $64.57/hr. Approximately 2,526 nurse practitioners are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$106,663
2025 BLS Actual
$129,835
2026 Current Est.
$134,315
2019–2027 Growth
+30.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Iowa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $106,663 | Actual |
| 2020 | $105,299 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,590 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,030 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,699 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,012 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,835 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,315 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,948 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 21.7% from $106,663 (2019) to $129,835 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,948 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,285 (30.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Iowa
Lowest Paying Cities in Iowa
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Fort Dodge | $122,821 |
| Johnston | $124,190 |
| Ottumwa | $124,491 |
| Muscatine | $124,964 |
| Clinton | $125,557 |
Best Value Cities for Nurse Practitioners in Iowa
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Iowa cities offer the most purchasing power for nurse practitioners.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux City | $133,513 | 86.454 | $154,432 |
| Dubuque | $134,092 | 87.328 | $153,550 |
| Davenport | $134,899 | 89.079 | $151,437 |
| Cedar Rapids | $134,371 | 88.963 | $151,041 |
| Waterloo | $130,688 | 87.057 | $150,118 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Iowa
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $112,333 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $134,315 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $170,653 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Iowa metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in Iowa
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Des Moines | $136,792 |
| 2 | West Des Moines | $135,025 |
| 3 | Davenport | $134,899 |
| 4 | Cedar Rapids | $134,371 |
| 5 | Dubuque | $134,092 |
| 6 | Sioux City | $133,513 |
| 7 | Iowa City | $133,482 |
| 8 | Cedar Falls | $133,474 |
| 9 | Ames | $132,002 |
| 10 | Marion | $131,569 |
| 11 | Waterloo | $130,688 |
| 12 | Ankeny | $130,033 |
| 13 | Council Bluffs | $129,216 |
| 14 | Burlington | $128,476 |
| 15 | Waukee | $128,013 |
| 16 | Urbandale | $127,841 |
| 17 | Bettendorf | $127,831 |
| 18 | Marshalltown | $127,436 |
| 19 | Coralville | $127,268 |
| 20 | Mason City | $126,679 |
| 21 | North Liberty | $126,182 |
| 22 | Clinton | $125,557 |
| 23 | Muscatine | $124,964 |
| 24 | Ottumwa | $124,491 |
| 25 | Johnston | $124,190 |
| 26 | Fort Dodge | $122,821 |
More Iowa Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore nurse practitioner hourly pay in Iowa cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nurse practitioners.
Explore More Nurse Practitioner Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse practitioners make in Iowa in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nurse practitioners in Iowa?
How does Iowa nurse practitioner pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nurse practitioner salary in Iowa?
How many nurse practitioners are employed in Iowa?
Which Iowa city offers the best value for nurse practitioners?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 nurse practitioner compensation across Iowa. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nurse practitionerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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