IA · Ames · Updated October 15, 2026

Utilization Review Nurse jobs in Ames, IA

Pay for utilization review nurses in the Ames area centers on $35.06 per hour, or about $72,920 a year. The lower quarter earns under $32.74 and the upper quarter over $42.73. That ranks 357th of 379 U.S. metro areas for utilization review nurse pay, and 300th of 335 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 1 hospital in Ames. The free report below lists employers near Ames and what they pay.

Utilization Review Nurse pay in Ames, IA

The metro median is 5% below the Iowa statewide median of $37.00 per hour. Nationally the median is $45.00 per hour. BLS counts about 1,100 registered nurses employed in the Ames metro area, 19.5 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.92).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$30.14$62,69033% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$32.74$68,10027% below U.S. median
Median$35.06$72,92022% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$42.73$88,8805% below U.S. median
Top 10%$44.25$92,0402% below U.S. median

How Ames ranks

  • 357th of 379 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 300th of 335 after adjusting for local prices
  • 5th of 8 Iowa metro areas

BLS does not publish a separate figure for utilization review nurse. These numbers are for the broader category it belongs to, Registered Nurses.

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 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).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $35.06 median hour buys what $39.47 buys at the national price level, 12% 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.

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Estimate your Ames paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,262
  • Per year: $63,108
  • Per month: $5,259

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

Hospitals in Ames

CMS lists 1 hospital in Ames.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Mary Greeley Medical Center
Ames, IA
Acute careGovernment and federal4 of 5Yes

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

Utilization Review Nurse pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Ankeny, IA20 mi$37.97/hr76,727
Des Moines, IA31 mi$37.97/hr213,096
West Des Moines, IA34 mi$37.97/hr73,664
Waterloo, IA72 mi$33.50/hr67,477
Cedar Rapids, IA100 mi$36.81/hr137,904
Iowa City, IA111 mi$39.87/hr76,710

Utilization Review Nurse jobs in Iowa · Utilization Review Nurse jobs nationwide

What employers ask for, and tax basics in Iowa

Utilization review nurses assess admissions and services for medical necessity and coordinate with payers.

  • Active RN license
  • Clinical experience in acute care
  • InterQual or MCG experience

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 Ames

Ames city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do utilization review nurses make in Ames, IA?

Utilization Review Nurses in the Ames metro area have a median pay of $35.06 per hour, about $72,920 a year. The middle half earn between $32.74 and $42.73 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Ames a good place for utilization review nurses once cost of living is counted?

Ames ranks 300th of 335 metro areas for utilization review nurse pay after adjusting for local prices, and 357th of 379 before adjusting. Overall prices run 11% below the U.S. average.

Where do utilization review nurses 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 an utilization review 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.

Does Valorem Health place utilization review nurses in Ames?

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

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What do employers near Ames pay utilization review nurses? Get the report.

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Pay report · UR Nurse near Ames, IA
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1Pay for your role at other hospitals

  • Emanate HealthCovina, CA · 1 posting$66.34/ hr$52–$81
  • Veterans Health AdministrationPhiladelphia, PA · 1 posting$56.65/ hr$39–$74
  • MaineGeneral HealthAugusta, ME · 1 posting$53.62/ hr$39–$68
  • Trinity HealthConnecticut · 1 posting$48.05/ hr$36–$60

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

2What they are offering now

Low$36Median$45.44High$66

11 UR Nurse postings with published pay in the US, 10 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

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Open UR Nurse roles near Ames, IA, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.

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