PermanentPosted today
Registered Nurse- Community Living Center Admission Coordinator
Veterans Health Administration · Des Moines, IA
$75k–$139k/ year
Top 25% payNew this week
Registered Nurse jobs in West Des Moines, IA
Pay for registered nurses in the West Des Moines area centers on $37.97 per hour, or about $78,970 a year. The lower quarter earns under $32.78 and the upper quarter over $41.40. The CMS hospital directory lists 4 hospitals in the West Des Moines metro area. That ranks 279th of 379 U.S. metro areas for registered nurse pay, and 242nd of 335 once local prices are factored in. The free report below lists employers near West Des Moines and what they pay.
- $37.97median pay per hour, Des Moines
- $33–$41typical range per hour
- 7,800registered nurses employed in the metro area
- 5open roles with published pay in the metro area
Open Registered Nurse roles near West Des Moines
Roles in other cities of the Des Moines-West Des Moines area.
PermanentPosted yesterday
Registered Nurse- Inpatient Mental Health
Veterans Health Administration · Des Moines, IA
$75k–$139k/ year
Top 25% payNew this week
For youUpdated weekly
50+ more Registered Nurse roles for you in West Des Moines, IA
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PermanentPosted yesterday
Registered Nurse (RN) - Full-Time Night Shift
Select Medical · Des Moines, IA
$37.00–$49.80/ hour
New this week
PermanentPosted yesterday
Registered Nurse (RN) - Full-Time Day Shift
Select Medical · Des Moines, IA
$37.00–$49.80/ hour
New this week
PermanentPosted 8 days ago
Registered Nurse - Community Living Center 1- Dementia Unit
Veterans Health Administration · Des Moines, IA
$75k–$139k/ year
Top 25% pay
Get the West Des Moines Registered Nurse pay report
Named employers near West Des Moines, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportWho is hiring registered nurses near West Des Moines
| Employer | Roles | Median pay / hour |
|---|---|---|
| Veterans Health Administration | 3 | $51.60 |
| Select Medical | 2 | $43.40 |
Registered Nurse pay in West Des Moines, IA
The metro median is 3% above the Iowa statewide median of $37.00 per hour. Nationally the median is $45.00 per hour. BLS counts about 7,800 registered nurses employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines metro area, 19.2 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.90).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $30.93 | $64,330 | 31% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $32.78 | $68,180 | 27% below U.S. median |
| Median | $37.97 | $78,970 | 16% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $41.40 | $86,110 | 8% below U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $47.17 | $98,110 | 5% above U.S. median |
How West Des Moines ranks
- 279th of 379 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 242nd of 335 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, Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.
What your pay buys in West 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 $37.97 median hour buys what $41.41 buys at the national price level, 8% below 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 West Des Moines paycheck
Estimated weekly gross$1,367
- Per year: $68,346
- Per month: $5,696
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 West Des Moines
| Item | Federal rate |
|---|---|
| Lodging per night | $115 |
| Meals and incidentals per day | $80 |
| Per week (7 nights, 7 days) | $1,365 |
| 13-week assignment | $17,745 |
Travel registered nurse 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 the Des Moines-West Des Moines area
CMS lists 4 hospitals in the Des Moines-West Des Moines area, 1 of the 4 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of registered nurses.
| 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.
Registered Nurse pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA | 9 mi | $37.97/hr | 213,096 |
| Ankeny, IA | 16 mi | $37.97/hr | 76,727 |
| Ames, IA | 34 mi | $35.06/hr | 69,026 |
| Waterloo, IA | 98 mi | $33.50/hr | 67,477 |
| Council Bluffs, IA | 110 mi | $38.95/hr | 62,665 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 112 mi | $36.81/hr | 137,904 |
Registered Nurse jobs in Iowa · Registered Nurse 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.
Other healthcare roles in West Des Moines
West Des Moines city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do registered nurses make in West Des Moines, IA?
Registered Nurses in the Des Moines-West Des Moines metro area have a median pay of $37.97 per hour, about $78,970 a year. The middle half earn between $32.78 and $41.40 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is West Des Moines a good place for registered nurses once cost of living is counted?
Des Moines-West Des Moines ranks 242nd of 335 metro areas for registered nurse pay after adjusting for local prices, and 279th of 379 before adjusting. Overall prices run 8% below the U.S. average.
Who is hiring registered nurses in West Des Moines?
We list 5 open roles with published pay from 2 employers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines area. Your free report adds named employers and pay near West Des Moines.
Do I need a Iowa license to work in West Des Moines as a registered nurse?
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 West 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 West Des Moines?
The federal per diem benchmark in West Des Moines is $115 a night for lodging and $80 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,365 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.
Does Valorem Health place registered nurses in West Des Moines?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in West Des Moines and across Iowa. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near West Des Moines.
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What do employers near West Des Moines pay registered nurses? 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.
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Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]
Your RN pay reportWest Des Moines, IA · pay published by hospitals, collected October 15, 2026
1Pay for your role at other hospitals
- Veterans Health AdministrationDes Moines, IA · 6 postings$49.44/ hr$34–$67
- Select MedicalDes Moines, IA · 4 postings$44.80/ hr$37–$53
- CommonSpirit HealthCOUNCIL BLUFFS, IA · 3 postings$44.10/ hr$30–$52
- Acadia HealthcareCouncil Bluffs, IA · 2 postings$39.84/ hr$34–$46
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published.
2What they are offering now
Low$32Median$44.10High$59
19 RN postings with published pay in Iowa, 15 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open now: 19 RN roles
- Registered Nurse- Community Living Center Admission CoordinatorPermanent$75k–$139k/ year
- Admissions Registered NursePermanent$34.00–$45.69/ hour
+ 17 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.
I'm interestedOne click. A recruiter writes only after you reply.