CRNA jobs in Des Moines, IA
The median CRNA pay in the Des Moines area is $112.00 per hour ($232,960 a year), with the typical range running from $104.83 to $115+. That ranks 12th of 83 U.S. metro areas for CRNA pay, and 11th of 79 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 4 hospitals in Des Moines. The free report below lists employers near Des Moines and what they pay.
- $112.00median pay per hour, Des Moines
- $105–$115+typical range per hour
- 150CRNAs employed in the metro area
- 92cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
CRNA pay in Des Moines, IA
The metro median is 1% above the Iowa statewide median of $110.56 per hour. Nationally the median is $107.31 per hour. BLS counts about 150 nurse anesthetists employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines metro area, 0.4 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.11).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $104.83 | $218,050 | 2% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $104.83 | $218,050 | 2% below U.S. median |
| Median | $112.00 | $232,960 | 4% above U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $115+ | $239,200+ | 7% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $115+ | $239,200+ | 7% above U.S. median |
How Des Moines ranks
- 12th of 83 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 11th of 79 after adjusting for local prices
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 Des Moines
- Overall prices in Des Moines-West Des Moines run 8% below the U.S. average (index 91.7, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 15% below the U.S. average (index 84.7).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $112.00 median hour buys what $115+ buys at the national price level, 14% above the national median.
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 Des Moines CRNA pay report
Named employers near Des Moines, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Des Moines paycheck
- Per year: $201,600
- Per month: $16,800
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Des Moines-West Des Moines metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Travel assignment per diem in Des Moines
| Item | Federal rate |
|---|---|
| Lodging per night | $121 |
| Meals and incidentals per day | $80 |
| Per week (7 nights, 7 days) | $1,407 |
| 13-week assignment | $18,291 |
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. 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 Des Moines
CMS lists 4 hospitals in Des Moines, 1 of the 4 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of CRNAs.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Va Central Iowa Healthcare System Des Moines, IA | Acute Care - Veterans Administration | Government and federal | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Broadlawns Medical Center Des Moines, IA | Acute care | Government and federal | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Unitypoint Health - Des Moines Iowa Methodist Medi Des Moines, IA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Mercyone Des Moines Medical Center Des Moines, IA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 1 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 Polk County
HRSA lists 3 active primary care shortage designations that include Polk County (1 population-group, 2 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 19 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Des Moines, IA | 9 mi | $112.00/hr | 73,664 |
| Ankeny, IA | 11 mi | $112.00/hr | 76,727 |
| Ames, IA | 31 mi | $110.56/hr | 69,026 |
| Waterloo, IA | 91 mi | $106.30/hr | 67,477 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 103 mi | $110.56/hr | 137,904 |
| Iowa City, IA | 108 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 Des Moines
Des Moines city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do CRNAs make in Des Moines, IA?
CRNAs in the Des Moines-West Des Moines metro area have a median pay of $112.00 per hour, about $232,960 a year. The middle half earn between $104.83 and $115+ per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Des Moines a good place for CRNAs once cost of living is counted?
Des Moines-West Des Moines ranks 11th of 79 metro areas for CRNA pay after adjusting for local prices, and 12th of 83 before adjusting. Overall prices run 8% below the U.S. average.
Where do CRNAs work in Des Moines?
CMS lists 4 hospitals in Des Moines, led by Va Central Iowa Healthcare System. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a Iowa license to work in Des Moines 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 Des Moines in a shortage area?
HRSA lists 3 active primary care shortage designations that include Polk 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 Des Moines?
The federal per diem benchmark in Des Moines is $121 a night for lodging and $80 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,407 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.
Does Valorem Health place CRNAs in Des Moines?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Des Moines and across Iowa. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Des Moines.
What do employers near Des Moines 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 Des Moines, IA, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.