What is the average RN salary in Altoona?

The average RN salary in Altoona is $73,552. This is 21.4% below the U.S. RN median salary of $93,600 and reflects local pay data for Altoona nurses. The city population is 19,345 and the average RN pay is often balanced by a Cost of Living Index of 83.3.

How many hospitals are in Altoona?

There are 0 hospitals in Altoona. While Altoona itself has no hospitals, nurses typically travel to nearby Des Moines-area hospitals; notable regional systems nurses work for include UnityPoint Health and MercyOne (regional names, not Altoona facilities). Altoona's population is 19,345, which helps explain the lack of in-city hospitals.

What is the cost of living in Altoona?

The cost of living in Altoona is below the U.S. average with a Cost of Living Index of 83.3 (U.S. average = 100). Housing costs are notably lower than national norms, and Altoona's Adjusted Salary is $88,298, reflecting stronger purchasing power against that 83.3 COL index.

Is Altoona a good place for nurses?

Altoona can be a good place for nurses who value lower living costs; the Adjusted Salary is $88,298 and the COL index is 83.3. However, there are 0 hospitals in Altoona, so nurses should plan for commutes to nearby Des Moines systems and factor travel time into work–life balance.

What is the real purchasing power for nurses in Altoona?

The real purchasing power for nurses in Altoona is represented by an Adjusted Salary of $88,298, calculated using the city’s Cost of Living Index of 83.3. Compared to the U.S. RN median of $93,600, Altoona nurses have lower nominal pay but higher local purchasing power due to reduced living costs.

Can nurses use a multistate compact license to work in Altoona?

Yes — Iowa is an NLC state, so nurses with a multistate compact license may practice in Altoona under multistate privileges. That means a nurse residing in another NLC state with a compact license can accept assignments in Altoona without obtaining a separate Iowa single-state license.

Nursing in Altoona, IA

Practical guide to nursing in Altoona, IA — salaries, cost of living, hospitals, climate, and what nurses actually earn after local taxes and rent.