CRNA jobs in Ames, IA
Pay for CRNAs in Iowa centers on $110.56 per hour, or about $229,950 a year. The lower quarter earns under $104.83 and the upper quarter over $115+. That is 3% above the U.S. median of $107.31 per hour. The CMS hospital directory lists 1 hospital in Ames. The free report below lists employers near Ames and what they pay.
- $110.56median pay per hour, Iowa
- $105–$115+typical range per hour
- 89cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
CRNA pay in Ames, IA
Nationally the median is $107.31 per hour. BLS counts about 580 nurse anesthetists employed in Iowa.
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $98.38 | $204,630 | 8% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $104.83 | $218,050 | 2% below U.S. median |
| Median | $110.56 | $229,950 | 3% above U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $115+ | $239,200+ | 7% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $115+ | $239,200+ | 7% above U.S. median |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Nurse Anesthetists (SOC 29-1151), all industries. Figures marked $115+ are the BLS top-coded maximum. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.
What your pay buys in Ames
- Overall prices in Ames run 11% below the U.S. average (index 88.8, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 31% below the U.S. average (index 69.2).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.
Get the Ames CRNA pay report
Named employers near Ames, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Ames paycheck
- Per year: $199,008
- Per month: $16,584
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for Iowa. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Travel assignment per diem in Ames
| Item | Federal rate |
|---|---|
| Lodging per night | $110 |
| Meals and incidentals per day | $68 |
| Per week (7 nights, 7 days) | $1,246 |
| 13-week assignment | $16,198 |
Travel CRNA assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free (this is the standard rate that applies here). Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.
Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).
Hospitals in Ames
CMS lists 1 hospital in Ames, 1 of the 1 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of CRNAs.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mary Greeley Medical Center Ames, IA | Acute care | Government and federal | 4 of 5 | Yes |
Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.
Primary care shortage areas in Story County
HRSA lists 1 active primary care shortage designation that include Story County (1 population-group). The highest-scoring one rates 17 on a 0 to 25 scale, where a higher score means a greater shortage.
Shortage areas are where demand for nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other clinicians is greatest. Federal loan repayment programs such as the NHSC and Nurse Corps cover some clinicians who work at eligible shortage-area sites. Eligibility is set by each program and by the site, so ask your recruiter before you plan around it.
Source: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas data warehouse, designated areas only. A designation can cover part of a county.
CRNA pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ankeny, IA | 20 mi | $112.00/hr | 76,727 |
| Des Moines, IA | 31 mi | $112.00/hr | 213,096 |
| West Des Moines, IA | 34 mi | $112.00/hr | 73,664 |
| Waterloo, IA | 72 mi | $106.30/hr | 67,477 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 100 mi | $110.56/hr | 137,904 |
| Iowa City, IA | 111 mi | $110.56/hr | 76,710 |
License and tax basics in Iowa
Iowa is in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so an RN or LPN/LVN with a multistate license from another compact state can work here without a new license. Nurses whose home state is not in the compact apply for a Iowa license by endorsement.
Iowa taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Ames
Ames city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do CRNAs make in Ames, IA?
CRNAs in Iowa have a median pay of $110.56 per hour, about $229,950 a year. The middle half earn between $104.83 and $115+ per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Where do CRNAs work in Ames?
CMS lists 1 hospital in Ames, led by Mary Greeley Medical Center. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a Iowa license to work in Ames as a CRNA?
Iowa is in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so an RN or LPN/LVN with a multistate license from another compact state can work here without a new license. Nurses whose home state is not in the compact apply for a Iowa license by endorsement. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.
Is Ames in a shortage area?
HRSA lists 1 active primary care shortage designation that include Story County. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.
What is the per diem for a travel assignment in Ames?
The federal per diem benchmark in Ames is $110 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,246 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.
Does Valorem Health place CRNAs in Ames?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Ames and across Iowa. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Ames.
What do employers near Ames pay CRNAs? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other hospitals
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
Get your free pay report
20+ CRNA roles in Iowa, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Your CRNA pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your Iowa list by name comes with the full report
1Pay for your role at other hospitals
- Essentia HealthDuluth, MN · 4 postings$173.59/ hr$142–$200
- MercyWisconsin · 3 postings$152.50/ hr$88–$200
- NewYork-PresbyterianNew York · 7 postings$145.43/ hr$130–$161
- Mass General BrighamSalem, MA · 26 postings$140.62/ hr$67–$200
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your Iowa list
2What they are offering now
106 CRNA postings with published pay in the US, 69 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open CRNA roles
Open CRNA roles near Ames, IA, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.