SOC 29-1141 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Registered Nurses — Dubuque
Dubuque, IA · 7 metro areas compared
The median wage for Registered Nurses in Dubuque, IA is $76,790 per year, 21.3% below the national median of $97,550.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Registered Nurses in Dubuque, IA is $76,790 per year, 21.3% below the national median of $97,550. Half of workers earn between $71,740 and $82,250. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $65,700 and the ninetieth at $96,570.
The area has 1,280 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 21.8 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Iowa City records the highest median at $85,940. Of the 249 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 53rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $65,700 | −32.6% |
| 25th | $71,740 | −26.5% |
| Median (50th) | $76,790 | −21.3% |
| 75th | $82,250 | −15.7% |
| 90th | $96,570 | −1.0% |
| Mean | $79,120 | −18.9% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iowa City | $85,940 | 4,090 | |
| 2 | Des Moines | $78,630 | 8,130 | |
| 3 | Cedar Rapids | $78,370 | 2,880 | |
| 4 | Ames | $77,160 | 1,070 | |
| 5 | Davenport | $77,150 | 3,520 | |
| 6 | Waterloo | $76,920 | 1,890 | |
| 7 | Sioux City | $75,840 | 1,600 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Dubuque run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $76,790 goes as far as $87,460 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 10.3% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$76,790as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$87,460US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $76,790 a year, 21.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $65,700 to $96,570 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,280 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Iowa City, at $85,940.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Registered Nurses in Dubuque, IA?
The median annual wage is $76,790, or $36.92 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $97,550, so pay in Dubuque, IA is 21.3% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Dubuque, IA earns more than $96,570 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $65,700 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Iowa City, at $85,940 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,280 jobs in this occupation in Dubuque, IA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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