How Much Does a CNA Make in Iowa in 2026?
Typical pay for CNAs in Iowa, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · Iowa · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical CNA in Iowa earns about $18.92 per hour ($39,350 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That runs about 7% below the national figure of $42,260 a year, placing Iowa 31st out of 51 states and D.C. for CNA pay. Iowa employs 22,670 certified nursing assistants, a workforce large enough to make these figures a reliable read on typical local pay.
How much does a CNA make in Iowa?
CNA pay by career stage in Iowa
| Career stage | Iowa | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $35,620$17.13 an hour | $33,940$16.32 an hour |
| First years | $37,360$17.96 an hour | $37,260$17.91 an hour |
| Typical CNA | $39,350$18.92 an hour | $42,260$20.32 an hour |
| Experienced | $45,650$21.95 an hour | $47,220$22.70 an hour |
| Top 10% | $47,980$23.07 an hour | $51,980$24.99 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · starting out is the 10th percentile, first years the 25th, typical the median, experienced the 75th, top 10% the 90th
CNA pay growth in Iowa
Typical (median) annual wage for CNAs in Iowa · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
In 2015, a CNA in Iowa typically earned $25,100 a year. By 2025, that figure had climbed to $39,350, a 57% rise over the decade, adding $14,250 to typical annual pay. Nationally, CNA pay rose 64% over the same stretch, so Iowa's gain has trailed the country's slightly. For someone starting out now, that decade of steady increases shows pay has been moving up, though nothing about the trend guarantees future raises.
CNA salary by city in Iowa
Pay runs highest in the Des Moines metro area (including West Des Moines), where CNAs typically earn $43,940 a year. Ames follows closely at $43,540, while Dubuque comes in at $41,580. At the other end, the Davenport metro area typically pays $38,740, a gap of $5,200 between Iowa's highest- and lowest-paying metro areas. Figures cover each city's full metro area. As in most states, higher pay in cities like Des Moines tends to track higher local living costs, not just demand for CNAs.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Iowa | CNAs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Des Moines metro incl. West Des Moines | $43,940 | $21.13 | +12% | 4,660 |
| 2 | Ames | $43,540 | $20.93 | +11% | 770 |
| 3 | Dubuque | $41,580 | $19.99 | +6% | 1,010 |
| 4 | Iowa City | $39,330 | $18.91 | 0% | 1,310 |
| 5 | Cedar Rapids | $39,110 | $18.80 | -1% | 1,740 |
| 6 | Sioux City | $38,940 | $18.72 | -1% | 930 |
| 7 | Waterloo metro incl. Cedar Falls | $38,930 | $18.72 | -1% | 1,440 |
| 8 | Davenport | $38,740 | $18.62 | -2% | 2,220 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · Iowa typical pay $39,350
How Iowa compares with nearby states
Among Iowa's neighbors, Minnesota pays CNAs the most, at $46,680 a year, about 19% higher than Iowa. Illinois and Wisconsin also pay more, at $45,960 and $45,130. Missouri pays less, at $37,680, about 4% below Iowa. A CNA licensed in one state can often test or transfer into a nearby one, so it's worth knowing how pay compares just across the border.
| State | Typical pay | Vs Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa | $39,350 | baseline |
| Minnesota | $46,680 | +19% |
| Illinois | $45,960 | +17% |
| Wisconsin | $45,130 | +15% |
| Nebraska | $40,000 | +2% |
| South Dakota | $38,800 | -1% |
| Missouri | $37,680 | -4% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical CNA pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is Iowa a good state for CNAs?
CNA pay in Iowa sits below the middle of the national table: typical pay is $39,350 a year, 7% below the national figure, ranking 31st of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in Iowa, about 15 are CNA positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 9.3. That makes the local economy more reliant on CNAs than most places, and turnover keeps positions opening through the year. Pay trails the national figure here, but demand does not: CNAs make up a larger share of Iowa's workforce than in most states.
Summary
CNAs in Iowa typically earn $18.92 an hour, or about $39,350 a year, up 57% over the past decade. Anyone considering the role can check Iowa's registry page for certification requirements, and the city pages for local pay figures in places like Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, or Iowa City.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a CNA make in Iowa?
- CNAs in Iowa typically earn **$18.92 an hour**, or about **$39,350 a year**, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That's roughly 7% below the national figure of $42,260 a year.
- How much does a CNA make an hour in Iowa?
- A CNA in Iowa typically earns **$18.92 an hour**. Pay ranges from around $17.13 an hour for entry-level positions up to $23.07 an hour for experienced CNAs in higher-paying areas.
- What is the starting pay for a CNA in Iowa?
- Entry-level CNA positions in Iowa typically offer around **$17.13 to $17.96 an hour**, or roughly $35,620 to $37,360 a year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025), with pay rising as CNAs gain experience.
- Which city in Iowa pays CNAs the most?
- The Des Moines metro area, including West Des Moines, pays CNAs the most in Iowa, at **$43,940 a year** ($21.13 an hour). Ames follows closely at $43,540 a year, while Davenport typically pays less, around $38,740.
- Is CNA pay in Iowa higher than the national rate?
- No. CNAs in Iowa typically earn **$39,350 a year**, about 7% below the national figure of $42,260. Lower pay in Iowa generally tracks a lower cost of living compared with many other states.