Travel Nurse Pay in Iowa (2026)
Iowa's staff wages are the lowest in this ten-state series — and its flat 3.8% income tax is among the lowest too. Here is what that means for travel contracts, with verified BLS numbers and honest package ranges.
By the NursePayLab editorial team · Updated $1
Key numbers at a glance
| Measure | Figure | What it means for travelers |
|---|---|---|
| RN employment (Iowa) | 34,420 | Size of the staff market behind you (per BLS OEWS, May 2025) |
| Median RN wage | $78,630/yr ($37.80/hr) | Staff baseline that anchors hospital bill rates |
| Mean RN wage | $80,540/yr ($38.72/hr) | Includes the experienced-nurse band travelers replace |
| Entry RN (10th pct) | $63,840/yr | Floor of the market |
Travel nurse pay in Iowa: the numbers
Iowa employed 34,420 registered nurses as of May 2025, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. The median RN wage was $78,630 ($37.80/hr) per year with a mean of $80,540 ($38.72/hr), a 10th percentile of $63,840 and a 90th percentile of $100,500 — the lowest median among the ten states covered in this series.
Low staff pay does not mean no travel market. The 75th percentile at $85,940 marks the experienced-nurse band hospitals are covering when they open traveler lines, and the University of Iowa's academic medical center generates demand that behaves more like a big-city market than a rural one. Bill rates simply start from a lower base: Iowa quotes are typically lower-gross but also lower-hassle, with cheap housing that lets stipends go far.
The hedged range below reflects that. Confirm live offers with recruiters — Iowa quotes move sharply when rural coverage gets tight.
| Measure | Figure | What it means for travelers |
|---|---|---|
| RN employment (Iowa) | 34,420 | Size of the staff market behind you (per BLS OEWS, May 2025) |
| Median RN wage | $78,630/yr ($37.80/hr) | Staff baseline that anchors hospital bill rates |
| Mean RN wage | $80,540/yr ($38.72/hr) | Includes the experienced-nurse band travelers replace |
| Entry RN (10th pct) | $63,840/yr | Floor of the market |
| Experienced RN (75th–90th pct) | $85,940–$100,500/yr | Where bill rates cluster |
| Typical travel package (hedged) | roughly $2,000–$2,700/week gross | Taxable wage + stipends; varies by specialty and season — verify with recruiters |
| State income tax (2026) | Flat 3.8% (2026; reciprocity with Illinois) | Applies to taxable wages only, not stipends |
| Nurse Licensure Compact | Yes — multistate license accepted | Determines how fast you can start |
All BLS figures on this page: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 release (bls.gov/oes). Wage figures are for staff registered nurses (SOC 29-1141), all industries — travel packages are quoted separately and are inherently variable. See the full list on our travel nurse pay by state hub.
How stipends change the math in Iowa
Iowa stipend caps follow the federal GSA tables for the assignment city, and midwestern lodging rates are modest — check current caps at gsa.gov/perdiem. The practical effect is that Iowa's low gross quotes convert well: rents are cheap enough that a $1,200–$1,500 housing stipend genuinely covers a one-bedroom in Des Moines or Cedar Rapids, instead of covering half of one.
Illustrative math: $25/hr × 36 guaranteed hours = $900/week taxable. Subtract roughly $103 federal, $69 FICA and $34 Iowa tax at 3.8%, leaving about $694. Add $1,500 housing and $400 M&IE — $1,900 tax-free — for a take-home near $2,594/week, a blended rate around $72/hour, roughly $33,700 over 13 weeks. Test your real offer in the take-home calculator and rank it against other states with the blended rate method — the honest comparison is after-tax, and Iowa's low tax helps it punch above its gross.
The usual precondition applies: housing and meal stipends are tax-free only with a valid tax home and duplicated living expenses. Without that, everything becomes taxable wages.
Iowa income tax: flat 3.8%
Iowa completed its move to a flat individual income tax: the rate is 3.8% for 2025 and remains 3.8% for 2026, replacing the old graduated brackets (per the Iowa Department of Revenue). For travelers the arithmetic is simple — 3.8% of taxable wages, full stop. Nonresidents file Iowa form IA 126/Iowa individual return on Iowa-sourced wages; Iowa also maintains reciprocity with Illinois, so Illinois residents working Iowa contracts keep paying Illinois instead. Verify your filing position with the Iowa Department of Revenue or a CPA.
Tax figures here are 2026 planning rates from official state sources and the Tax Foundation's 2026 tables — confirm your own filing position with the relevant state revenue department or a CPA; this page is not tax advice.
Licensure in Iowa: compact member
Iowa is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. A multistate RN license based in any compact state covers Iowa assignments without a separate application — practical for travelers pairing Iowa with neighboring compact states like Wisconsin, Missouri and Kansas. Remember the multistate license is tied to your primary state of residence; verify your privileges on the NCSBN site before accepting a start date. Compact status per the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (ncsbn.org).
Where the demand is in Iowa
Des Moines carries the volume: MercyOne, UnityPoint Health and Broadlawns run the metro's traveler lines. Iowa City is the specialist market — University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics is one of the largest academic medical centers in the Midwest and posts demand for ICU, NICU, oncology and OR travelers at quotes that often beat Des Moines. Cedar Rapids (UnityPoint St. Luke's), the Quad Cities (Genesis) and the Council Bluffs/Omaha border add options, and rural critical-access hospitals across the state post premium-need lines intermittently.
Stipend ceilings everywhere follow the federal per-diem tables for your assignment location — gsa.gov/perdiem.
FAQ
How much do travel nurses make in Iowa?
Per BLS OEWS (May 2025), the median staff RN in Iowa earns $78,630/year — the lowest of the ten states in this series. Travel packages typically quote $2,000–$2,700/week gross; verify current offers with recruiters.
Is Iowa a Nurse Licensure Compact state?
Yes — a multistate compact license covers Iowa assignments without a separate Iowa application.
Are stipends taxed in Iowa?
Stipends are tax-free with a valid tax home; Iowa's flat 3.8% applies only to taxable wages.
Does University of Iowa Hospitals pay travelers more?
It posts specialized ICU/NICU/oncology demand typical of a large academic center, and quotes there can run above Des Moines — but rates are still anchored to Iowa's low staff-wage base. Compare offers after tax.
I live in Illinois — do I pay Iowa tax on an Iowa contract?
No, generally not: Illinois and Iowa have reciprocity, so Illinois residents pay Illinois tax on Iowa wages. Confirm the paperwork with the Iowa Department of Revenue.
What is a good blended rate in Iowa?
An illustrative $2,594/week take-home over 36 hours is about $72/hour blended. Low housing costs mean the stipend buys more; judge offers on after-tax take-home, not gross.