Registered Nurses Salary in Ames, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Ames, IA

Median annual salary $72,920 -22.1% vs national
Median hourly $35.06
10th percentile $62,680
90th percentile $92,040
Employed locally 1,100
National median $93,600

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Registered Nurses
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Ames, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $62,680
    25th
    $68,100
    50th (median)
    $72,920
    75th
    $88,880
    90th
    $92,040

    Ames economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,090 2023 • Census ACS
    Registered Nurses salary vs area income 103% Median Registered Nurses salary is 3% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Registered Nurses

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $208,940
    Vallejo, CA $192,470
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $188,020
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $178,900
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $172,390
    Modesto, CA $169,460

    Nearby metros — Registered Nurses salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    California $140,330
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $134,620
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $133,470
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $130,680
    North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area $129,740
    Visalia, CA $120,160

    Related occupations in Ames, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Veterinary Technologists and Technicians $48,800
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $63,020
    Pharmacy Technicians $40,030
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $52,520
    Physical Therapists $86,440
    Radiologic Technologists and Technicians $64,350

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Registered Nurses make per hour in Ames?

    The median hourly wage for Registered Nurses in Ames, IA is $35.06, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $47.81 or more per hour.

    Is Ames above or below average for Registered Nurses salaries?

    The median Registered Nurses salary in Ames, IA is 22.1% below the national median of $93,600. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Registered Nurses in Ames?

    Entry-level Registered Nurses (10th percentile) earn around $62,680 per year in Ames, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $68,100.