IA · Iowa City · Updated October 15, 2026

Nurse Practitioner jobs in Iowa City, IA

Pay for nurse practitioners in the Iowa City area centers on $62.57 per hour, or about $130,140 a year. The lower quarter earns under $55.75 and the upper quarter over $65.91. The CMS hospital directory lists 3 hospitals in Iowa City. That ranks 114th of 372 U.S. metro areas for nurse practitioner pay, and 64th of 336 once local prices are factored in. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Iowa City.

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Nurse Practitioner pay in Iowa City, IA

The metro median is 1% above the Iowa statewide median of $62.22 per hour. Nationally the median is $62.12 per hour. BLS counts about 290 nurse practitioners employed in the Iowa City metro area, 3.2 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.59).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$55.37$115,17011% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$55.75$115,96010% below U.S. median
Median$62.57$130,1401% above U.S. median
Upper quartile$65.91$137,0906% above U.S. median
Top 10%$65.91$137,0906% above U.S. median

How Iowa City ranks

  • 114th of 372 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 64th of 336 after adjusting for local prices
  • 2nd of 8 Iowa metro areas

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Nurse Practitioners (SOC 29-1171), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

What your pay buys in Iowa City

  • Overall prices in Iowa City run 8% below the U.S. average (index 91.5, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 16% below the U.S. average (index 84.0).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $62.57 median hour buys what $68.38 buys at the national price level, 10% 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.

Estimate your Iowa City paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$2,253
  • Per year: $112,626
  • Per month: $9,386

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Iowa City metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Travel assignment per diem in Iowa City

ItemFederal 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 nurse practitioner 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 Iowa City

CMS lists 3 hospitals in Iowa City, 2 of the 3 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of nurse practitioners.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Iowa City Va Medical Center
Iowa City, IA
Acute Care - Veterans AdministrationGovernment and federal5 of 5Yes
University Of Iowa Health Care Medical Center Down
Iowa City, IA
Acute careNonprofit4 of 5Yes
University Of Iowa Hospital & Clinics
Iowa City, IA
Acute careGovernment and federal2 of 5Yes

Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.

Primary care shortage areas in Johnson County

HRSA lists 1 active primary care shortage designation that include Johnson 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.

Nurse Practitioner pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Cedar Rapids, IA23 mi$61.86/hr137,904
Davenport, IA48 mi$60.86/hr100,938
Waterloo, IA72 mi$61.25/hr67,477
Dubuque, IA72 mi$62.51/hr58,987
Ankeny, IA107 mi$63.38/hr76,727
Des Moines, IA108 mi$63.38/hr213,096

Nurse Practitioner jobs in Iowa · Nurse Practitioner jobs nationwide

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.

Iowa state guide · Nurse Licensure Compact guide

Other healthcare roles in Iowa City

Iowa City city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do nurse practitioners make in Iowa City, IA?

Nurse Practitioners in the Iowa City metro area have a median pay of $62.57 per hour, about $130,140 a year. The middle half earn between $55.75 and $65.91 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Iowa City a good place for nurse practitioners once cost of living is counted?

Iowa City ranks 64th of 336 metro areas for nurse practitioner pay after adjusting for local prices, and 114th of 372 before adjusting. Overall prices run 8% below the U.S. average.

Who is hiring nurse practitioners in Iowa City?

We list 3 open roles with published pay from 1 employer in Iowa City. Your free report adds named employers and pay near Iowa City.

Do I need a Iowa license to work in Iowa City as a nurse practitioner?

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 Iowa City in a shortage area?

HRSA lists 1 active primary care shortage designation that include Johnson 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 Iowa City?

The federal per diem benchmark in Iowa City 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 nurse practitioners in Iowa City?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Iowa City and across Iowa. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Iowa City.

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The Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval: Health Care Staffing Services Certification, since 2022American Staffing Association memberNATHO member: National Association of Travel Healthcare OrganizationsNALTO member: National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations

Pay report · NP near Iowa City, IA
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your NP pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your Iowa list by name comes with the full report

1Pay for your role at other hospitals

  • Veterans Health AdministrationIowa City, IA · 4 postings$69.01/ hr$56–$82
  • MarinHealthGreenbrae, CA · 4 postings$96.91/ hr$86–$108
  • Sharp HealthCareSan Diego, CA · 6 postings$92.12/ hr$80–$104
  • Sharp HealthcareSan Diego, CA · 3 postings$92.12/ hr$80–$104

Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your Iowa list

2What they are offering now

Low$56Median$69.01High$82

4 NP postings with published pay in Iowa, 3 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 4 NP roles

  1. Advanced Practice Nurse - Cardiology ElectrophysiologyPermanent
    $117k–$170k/ year
    Veterans Health Administration · Iowa City, IA · posted 7 days ago
  2. Advanced Practice Nurse - Primary CarePermanent
    $116k–$168k/ year
    Veterans Health Administration · Burlington, IA · posted 7 days ago

+ 2 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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