What is the average RN salary in Des Moines?

The average RN salary in Des Moines is $73,552. This is 21.4% below the U.S. RN median salary of $93,600 (BLS) and reflects local pay in Des Moines, IA. The figure contrasts with the city’s adjusted purchasing power and a Cost of Living Index of 83.3.

How many hospitals are in Des Moines?

Des Moines has 6 hospitals within the city limits. Top systems include UnityPoint Health-Des Moines and MercyOne Des Moines; together these acute-care institutions anchor inpatient services and surgical capacity across the metro with multiple specialty units.

What is the cost of living in Des Moines?

The cost of living in Des Moines is below the national average, with a Cost of Living Index of 83.3 (U.S. average = 100). Housing tends to be more affordable here, which helps explain why the provided adjusted salary is $88,298 for nurses living in Des Moines.

Is Des Moines a good place for nurses?

Des Moines can be a practical choice for nurses because of lower living costs and six hospitals serving the metro. With an RN average salary of $73,552 and a Cost of Living Index of 83.3, nurses in Des Moines benefit from an adjusted salary of $88,298 and access to varied acute-care settings.

What is the real purchasing power for nurses in Des Moines?

The real purchasing power in Des Moines is reflected by an adjusted salary of $88,298. Using the city’s Cost of Living Index of 83.3, that adjusted figure shows Des Moines RNs can buy more locally than a raw $73,552 salary suggests compared to the U.S. median of $93,600.

Can nurses use a multistate compact license to work in Des Moines?

Yes — Iowa is an NLC state, so nurses holding a multistate compact license may practice in Des Moines under multistate privileges. That means eligible RNs licensed through the Nurse Licensure Compact can legally work in Des Moines-area hospitals without obtaining a separate Iowa single-state license.

What nursing specialties are most in demand in Des Moines?

Demand in Des Moines centers on specialties aligned with acute-care hospitals: ICU, Emergency Department (ED), med-surg, Labor & Delivery (L&D), and behavioral health nursing. The presence of major acute-care systems like UnityPoint Health-Des Moines and MercyOne suggests high staffing need in these inpatient and emergency settings.

Nursing in Des Moines, IA

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