Iowa leads its regional peer group, with a mean annual salary of $136,940 compared to Minnesota at $135,890, Wisconsin at $135,160, Nebraska at $131,710, Missouri at $130,970, and Illinois at $130,940. The differences are relatively narrow, so candidates moving between these states will not typically demand large adjustments. You can use Iowa's median of $130,160 as a reliable anchor when benchmarking against neighboring markets.
Nurse practitioner salary in Iowa (2026)
In this article
The average nurse practitioner salary in Iowa is $136,940 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $130,160 gives employers a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. Iowa employs 3,240 nurse practitioners, and the $6,780 gap between the mean and median reflects real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Junior nurse practitioners in Iowa typically earn around $107,990, while senior specialists reach and exceed the $167,590 level at the 90th percentile. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a nurse practitioner hire in Iowa, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $130,160 |
Average Annual Salary | $136,940 |
vs. National Average | 0.3% below the national mean of $137,300 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 3,240 employed nurse practitioners across Iowa.
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Nurse practitioner salary percentiles in Iowa
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $107,990 |
25th Percentile | $122,720 |
75th Percentile | $141,940 |
90th Percentile | $167,590 |
Employers setting an offer for a nurse practitioner in Iowa should expect a meaningful spread depending on experience level. Entry-level candidates typically fall near $107,990, while the most experienced specialists reach $167,590 or beyond, giving you a practical range to anchor your compensation structure.
Nurse practitioner salary by city in Iowa
City | Average Annual Salary |
Des Moines | $138,820 |
Sioux City | $135,460 |
Cedar Rapids | $134,750 |
Iowa City | $134,050 |
Davenport | $132,620 |
Location within Iowa produces a modest but real difference in nurse practitioner compensation, which matters when you are deciding where to post a role or how to adjust an offer for a remote or hybrid candidate. Des Moines leads at $138,820 on average, while Davenport sits at the lower end at $132,620, a spread of $6,200 across the state's major markets. Offers in Des Moines may need a slight premium to stay competitive relative to other Iowa markets.
How Iowa compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
Iowa | $136,940 | $130,160 |
Minnesota | $135,890 | $133,260 |
Wisconsin | $135,160 | $131,980 |
Nebraska | $131,710 | $132,130 |
Missouri | $130,970 | $129,930 |
Illinois | $130,940 | $130,680 |
Iowa sits at the top of the regional peer group by average salary, which means employers here face compensation expectations that are broadly in line with neighboring states but slightly above them. Iowa's mean of $136,940 edges out Minnesota at $135,890 and Wisconsin at $135,160, so candidates relocating from those states will not expect a significant pay increase. Budgeting at Iowa's median of $130,160 keeps you competitive across the region without overpaying relative to the local market.
Frequently asked questions about nurse practitioner salary in Iowa
How does Iowa compare to other states for nurse practitioner salary?
What do the top-earning nurse practitioners make in Iowa?
Nurse practitioners at the 90th percentile in Iowa earn $167,590 per year. Senior specialists with advanced credentials or subspecialty experience are the candidates most likely to command compensation at or above that level. When recruiting for a senior role, plan your budget above the statewide median and closer to the upper end of the percentile range.
What is the salary range for a nurse practitioner in Iowa?
The published salary range for nurse practitioners in Iowa runs from $107,990 at the 10th percentile to $167,590 at the 90th percentile. The 25th percentile sits at $122,720 and the 75th percentile at $141,940, giving you a practical mid-range band for most hiring scenarios. Use the candidate's experience level and specialization to determine where within that range your offer should land.
What is the average nurse practitioner salary in Iowa?
The average nurse practitioner salary in Iowa is $136,940 per year, with a median of $130,160. The $6,780 gap between those two figures reflects a segment of higher-compensated roles pulling the average above the midpoint. For most hiring decisions, the median of $130,160 is the more grounded figure to use when setting an initial offer.
Nurse Practitioner salary by state
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, SOC code 29-1171 (Nurse Practitioners).
Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
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The Rippling Team
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