Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Iowa: $43,701 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Iowa's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median certified nursing assistant pay sits at $43,701/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-1131. Because Iowa sits at BEA RPP 90.4 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $48,342 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Des Moines ($43,940), Ames ($43,540), West Des Moines ($43,372).
In Iowa, certified nursing assistants (CNAs) can expect an average median salary of $43,701 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $45,007, representing a difference of -2.9%. The salary range varies significantly across the state, with Des Moines offering the highest average at $46,796, while Fort Dodge has the lowest at $38,341. This $8,455 gap can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of facilities in urban areas compared to rural settings. Iowa's CNA licensing requirements and scope of practice laws are aligned with national standards, yet the growing healthcare sector is driving demand for CNAs. The projected job growth rate for this role is 6.50% annually, signaling a solid outlook for employment opportunities across the state. In addition to Des Moines, other key cities like Ames ($46,370), West Des Moines ($46,191), Dubuque ($44,283), and Cedar Falls ($42,344) showcase competitive salaries that attract new professionals to the field. With a total employment figure of 14,216 CNAs, Iowa presents a stable job market for those considering a career in this essential healthcare role.
Iowa Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Iowa: $32,348 (lowest entry-level) to $56,738 (highest top earner)
Iowa vs National Average
Iowa certified nursing assistants earn 2.9% less than the national median ($-1,306/year difference).
Iowa Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Certified Nursing Assistant salaries in Iowa range from $38,064 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $52,400 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $43,701. The Iowa median is $1,306 below the US national median of $45,007. The average hourly rate is $21.01/hr. Approximately 14,216 certified nursing assistants are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$29,789
2025 BLS Actual
$41,034
2026 Current Est.
$43,701
2019–2027 Growth
+56.2%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Iowa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,789 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,500 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,179 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,806 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,848 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,930 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,034 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,701 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,541 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 37.7% from $29,789 (2019) to $41,034 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,541 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,752 (56.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 6.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Iowa
Lowest Paying Cities in Iowa
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Fort Dodge | $38,341 |
| Johnston | $38,768 |
| Ottumwa | $38,863 |
| Muscatine | $39,010 |
| Clinton | $39,195 |
Best Value Cities for Certified Nursing Assistants in Iowa
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Iowa cities offer the most purchasing power for certified nursing assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ames | $46,370 | 88.83 | $52,201 |
| West Des Moines | $46,191 | 90.4 | $51,096 |
| Des Moines | $46,796 | 91.701 | $51,031 |
| Dubuque | $44,283 | 87.328 | $50,709 |
| Sioux City | $41,471 | 86.454 | $47,969 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Iowa
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $38,064 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $43,701 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $52,400 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Iowa metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in Iowa
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Des Moines | $46,796 |
| 2 | Ames | $46,370 |
| 3 | West Des Moines | $46,191 |
| 4 | Dubuque | $44,283 |
| 5 | Cedar Falls | $42,344 |
| 6 | Iowa City | $41,886 |
| 7 | Cedar Rapids | $41,652 |
| 8 | Sioux City | $41,471 |
| 9 | Waterloo | $41,460 |
| 10 | Davenport | $41,258 |
| 11 | Marion | $41,072 |
| 12 | Ankeny | $40,592 |
| 13 | Council Bluffs | $40,338 |
| 14 | Burlington | $40,107 |
| 15 | Waukee | $39,962 |
| 16 | Urbandale | $39,909 |
| 17 | Bettendorf | $39,906 |
| 18 | Marshalltown | $39,782 |
| 19 | Coralville | $39,730 |
| 20 | Mason City | $39,546 |
| 21 | North Liberty | $39,390 |
| 22 | Clinton | $39,195 |
| 23 | Muscatine | $39,010 |
| 24 | Ottumwa | $38,863 |
| 25 | Johnston | $38,768 |
| 26 | Fort Dodge | $38,341 |
More Iowa Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore certified nursing assistant hourly pay in Iowa cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new certified nursing assistants.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced certified nursing assistants.
Explore More Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Iowa in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for certified nursing assistants in Iowa?
How does Iowa certified nursing assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level certified nursing assistant salary in Iowa?
How many certified nursing assistants are employed in Iowa?
Which Iowa city offers the best value for certified nursing assistants?
Written by Emily Chen, BSN, RN
Career Analyst
Emily has over 10 years of experience in nursing. She focuses on workforce trends in nursing. Emily has worked in various healthcare settings, including hospitals and long-term care facilities.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 certified nursing assistant compensation across Iowa. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more certified nursing assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for certified nursing assistants (SOC 31-1131).
Compiled and verified by Emily Chen, BSN, RN, a licensed certified nursing assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov