Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Iowa: $228,919 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Iowa's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median nurse anesthetist pay sits at $228,919/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1151. Because Iowa sits at BEA RPP 90.4 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $253,229 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Des Moines ($237,670), West Des Moines ($234,599), Davenport ($220,846).
As of 2026, nurse anesthetists in Iowa earn an average median salary of $228,919, which is approximately 8.0% lower than the national median of $248,893. The salary landscape within the state varies significantly, with Des Moines leading at $250,029 and Fort Dodge at $206,533, creating a notable gap of $43,496. This difference can be attributed to several factors, including local cost of living, demand for services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban areas versus rural settings. Iowa has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can impact job functions and salaries. Nurse anesthetists are required to hold a master's degree, maintain certification, and adhere to state regulations. The demand for these professionals is on the rise, with a projected 5.20% annual growth rate in employment. In addition to Des Moines, other cities like West Des Moines ($246,798), Davenport ($232,330), Dubuque ($227,676), and Sioux City ($226,624) show strong salaries, indicating a healthy job market for the profession statewide. As the healthcare sector grows, nurse anesthetists are likely to see increasing opportunities across Iowa.
Iowa Nurse Anesthetist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Iowa: $140,152 (lowest entry-level) to $353,734 (highest top earner)
Iowa vs National Average
Iowa nurse anesthetists earn 8.03% less than the national median ($-19,974/year difference).
Iowa Nurse Anesthetist Salary Distribution (2026)
Nurse Anesthetist salaries in Iowa range from $170,475 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $319,464 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $228,919. The Iowa median is $19,974 below the US national median of $248,893. The average hourly rate is $110.06/hr. Approximately 313 nurse anesthetists are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$190,210
2025 BLS Actual
$217,604
2026 Current Est.
$228,919
2019–2027 Growth
+26.6%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Iowa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $190,210 | Actual |
| 2020 | $198,660 | Actual |
| 2021 | $173,180 | Actual |
| 2022 | $198,285 | Actual |
| 2023 | $209,670 | Actual |
| 2024 | $209,404 | Actual |
| 2025 | $217,604 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $228,919 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $240,823 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 14.4% from $190,210 (2019) to $217,604 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $240,823 by 2027 — a total increase of $50,613 (26.61%) 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 5.20% 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 | $206,533 |
| Johnston | $208,834 |
| Ottumwa | $209,342 |
| Muscatine | $210,137 |
| Clinton | $211,135 |
Best Value Cities for Nurse Anesthetists in Iowa
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Iowa cities offer the most purchasing power for nurse anesthetists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Des Moines | $246,798 | 90.4 | $273,007 |
| Des Moines | $250,029 | 91.701 | $272,657 |
| Davenport | $232,330 | 90.4 | $257,002 |
| Dubuque | $227,676 | 90.4 | $251,854 |
| Sioux City | $226,624 | 90.4 | $250,690 |
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) | $170,475 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $228,919 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $319,464 |
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 | $250,029 |
| 2 | West Des Moines | $246,798 |
| 3 | Davenport | $232,330 |
| 4 | Dubuque | $227,676 |
| 5 | Sioux City | $226,624 |
| 6 | Iowa City | $224,094 |
| 7 | Ames | $223,898 |
| 8 | Cedar Rapids | $223,731 |
| 9 | Cedar Falls | $222,902 |
| 10 | Marion | $221,243 |
| 11 | Waterloo | $218,980 |
| 12 | Ankeny | $218,659 |
| 13 | Council Bluffs | $217,286 |
| 14 | Burlington | $216,042 |
| 15 | Waukee | $215,263 |
| 16 | Urbandale | $214,975 |
| 17 | Bettendorf | $214,957 |
| 18 | Marshalltown | $214,295 |
| 19 | Coralville | $214,012 |
| 20 | Mason City | $213,019 |
| 21 | North Liberty | $212,184 |
| 22 | Clinton | $211,135 |
| 23 | Muscatine | $210,137 |
| 24 | Ottumwa | $209,342 |
| 25 | Johnston | $208,834 |
| 26 | Fort Dodge | $206,533 |
More Iowa Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore nurse anesthetist hourly pay in Iowa cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nurse anesthetists.
Explore More Nurse Anesthetist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in Iowa in 2026?
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How does Iowa nurse anesthetist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nurse anesthetist salary in Iowa?
How many nurse anesthetists are employed in Iowa?
Which Iowa city offers the best value for nurse anesthetists?
Written by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA
Career Analyst
Alexandra Johnson has 10 years of experience as a nurse anesthetist. She specializes in anesthesia for orthopedic surgeries. She works in a regional medical center.
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 5.20% 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 anesthetist compensation across Iowa. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nurse anesthetistscontribute 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 5.20%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse anesthetists (SOC 29-1151).
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA, a licensed nurse anesthetist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov