Nurse Practitioner Salary in Waukee, IA: $128,013 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse practitioner in Waukee, IA earns a median $128,013/year (≈ $61.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Once you factor in Waukee's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $141,607 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Waukee, Iowa, the projected median salary for nurse practitioners is $128,013 in 2026, which is slightly lower than the national average of $136,864. This salary range spans from $102,686 at the 10th percentile to $154,108 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a competitive market for advanced practice professionals. The compensation landscape varies notably by specialty, with psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) typically earning more than adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners (AGACNPs) and family nurse practitioners (FNPs). Estimates based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, indicate that Waukee's nurse practitioner pay is influenced by local demand for specific specialties, providing ample opportunity for those in high-need areas.
About the Waukee Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $102,686 | $49.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $115,986 | $55.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $128,013 | $61.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $144,745 | $69.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $154,108 | $74.09 |
Median Salary Position
6.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waukee
In Waukee, IA, the nurse practitioner salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,422 (2026 est.). At $128,013, the local median is 6.47% below the national median of $136,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waukee: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waukee Nurse Practitioner Pay Compares
Waukee median: $128,013/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waukee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $133,765 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $136,864 | -6.47% less |
Nurse Practitioners in Waukee, IA earn a median of $128,013 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.47% lower than the national median of $136,864 and 4.30% below the Iowa state average of $133,765.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waukee has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waukee, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A nurse practitioner earning $128,013 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $141,607 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$102,718
2025 BLS Actual
$123,744
2026 Current Est.
$128,013
2019–2027 Growth
+28.9%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Waukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,718 | Actual |
| 2020 | $104,458 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,875 | Actual |
| 2022 | $113,745 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,095 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,111 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,744 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,013 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,430 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waukee metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 20.5% from $102,718 (2019) to $123,744 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,430 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,712 (28.93%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waukee 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $102,686 – $115,986 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $115,986 – $128,013 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $128,013 – $144,745 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $144,745 – $154,108 |
NP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse practitioner compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Practitioner Job Market in Waukee
Currently, Waukee employs four nurse practitioners, which indicates a relatively small but focused job market. The area's cost of living index of 90.4 suggests that while salaries may be lower than the national average, they remain competitive in the local context and offer reasonable purchasing power. Among the employers, hospital outpatient clinics tend to offer the highest pay, followed by specialized practices and retail clinics. Factors such as population focus, state laws regarding full-practice authority, and the potential for performance-based bonuses all contribute to variations in pay. To maximize earnings, nurse practitioners in Waukee might consider developing niche specialties or pursuing side opportunities with telehealth platforms. Strategies like negotiating contracts or exploring locum tenens positions can enhance overall compensation while aligning with market demands.
More salary data for Waukee, 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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $123,744 for nurse practitionersin the Waukee metropolitan area. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Waukee is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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