Certified Nursing Assistant salary in Iowa
Certified Nursing Assistants in Iowa earn a median of $18.57 per hour, about $38,630 a year, 2% below the U.S. median of $19.01. The middle half earn between $17.66 and $21.49 per hour. The highest median among Iowa metro areas is in Dubuque, IA, at $19.45 per hour. Source: BLS, May 2024.
- $18.57median pay per hour
- $38,630median pay per year
- 22,970employed in Iowa
- #27of 50 states by median pay
Certified Nursing Assistant pay in Iowa: percentiles
| Level | Iowa per hour | Iowa per year | U.S. per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $16.86 | $35,070 | $15.09 |
| Lower quartile | $17.66 | $36,730 | $17.44 |
| Median | $18.57 | $38,630 | $19.01 |
| Upper quartile | $21.49 | $44,700 | $22.15 |
| Top 10% | $23.13 | $48,110 | $24.11 |
Certified Nursing Assistant pay by metro area in Iowa
| Metro area | Median / hr | Median / year | Employed | vs Iowa median | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubuque, IA | $19.45 | $40,460 | 890 | 5% above | $22.27 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $19.13 | $39,790 | 4,870 | 3% above | $20.86 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $18.87 | $39,260 | 1,670 | 2% above | $21.21 |
| Ames, IA | $18.81 | $39,110 | 760 | 1% above | $21.18 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $18.42 | $38,320 | 1,020 | 1% below | $21.31 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $18.31 | $38,090 | 1,400 | 1% below | $21.03 |
| Iowa City, IA | $18.22 | $37,900 | 1,200 | 2% below | $19.91 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $18.21 | $37,870 | 2,030 | 2% below | $20.44 |
Metro areas with 30 or more workers in the BLS sample. After cost of living divides the median by the BEA regional price index (U.S. = 100).
Certified Nursing Assistant pay in states next to Iowa
What employers are posting in Iowa
- 4roles with published pay
- $23.77median pay per hour
- $18–$33typical published range
- 3employers hiring
| Employer | Roles | Median pay / hour |
|---|---|---|
| Veterans Health Administration | 2 | $26.75 |
| Select Medical | 1 | $19.97 |
| CommonSpirit Health | 1 | $20.80 |
Midpoints of pay ranges in 4 postings collected October 15, 2026. Posted pay is a different measure from the BLS survey above and can run higher or lower.
Certified Nursing Assistant jobs in Iowa · Certified Nursing Assistant salary nationwide · Iowa state guide
Common questions
How much does a certified nursing assistant make in Iowa?
The median is $18.57 per hour, about $38,630 a year. The lowest 10% earn under $16.86 and the top 10% earn over $23.13 (BLS, May 2024).
Which Iowa city pays certified nursing assistants the most?
Among Iowa metro areas, Dubuque, IA has the highest median at $19.45 per hour. See the metro table for the rest and for pay after cost of living.
Where does Iowa rank for certified nursing assistant pay?
Iowa ranks 27th of 50 states by median certified nursing assistant pay.
Is this the same as the pay in job postings?
No. BLS figures come from a survey of employers and cover all workers in the occupation. Posted pay is the range an employer lists on one open role. Both are useful: use the survey for the market and the posting for a specific job.
What do employers near you pay certified nursing assistants? 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
40+ Certified Nursing Assistant 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 CNA pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your Iowa list by name comes with the full report
1Pay for your role at other hospitals
- Veterans Health AdministrationDes Moines, IA · 2 postings$26.75/ hr$20–$33
- CommonSpirit HealthBURIEN, WA · 7 postings$31.52/ hr$23–$41
- Emanate HealthCovina, CA · 6 postings$28.75/ hr$21–$34
- MultiCareTacoma, WA · 105 postings$28.55/ hr$21–$44
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your Iowa list
2What they are offering now
4 CNA 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 CNA roles
- Nursing Assistant - Mental HealthPermanent$42k–$69k/ year
- Nursing Assistant - Community Living Center - DementiaPermanent$42k–$69k/ year
+ 2 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.