How much is the psychiatric nurse vs med-surg nurse pay gap in Iowa?

The estimated gap in Iowa is about $2,490 a year, or roughly 3% more for psychiatric nurses. Your actual pay depends on experience, specialty, shift, and employer — use the calculator to compare both for your situation.

Are these Iowa figures exact?

No — they're modeled estimates, not verified Iowa wages. They start from each role's national pay and adjust for Iowa's cost of labor, and they update to verified numbers when official state data is loaded.

Why are some figures verified and others estimates?

National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.

Iowa · IA

Psychiatric Nurse vs Med-Surg Nurse salary in Iowa

In Iowa, psychiatric nurses earn more — an estimated $85,410 a year versus $82,920 for med-surg nurses, a gap of about $2,490 (roughly 3% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for Iowa.

Psychiatric Nurse — Iowa

Specialty estimate

Median annual pay

$85,410

-15% vs national

Hourly

$41.06/hr

Median $85,410

$60,360Middle 50%: $70,330–$98,360$120,350

Typical range: $70,330–$98,360; What most nurses earn
High end: $120,350; Top earners
Entry level: $60,360; Newer nurses

Med-Surg Nurse — Iowa

Specialty estimate

Median annual pay

$82,920

-15% vs national

Hourly

$39.87/hr

Median $82,920

$58,600Middle 50%: $68,280–$95,500$116,850

Typical range: $68,280–$95,500; What most nurses earn
High end: $116,850; Top earners
Entry level: $58,600; Newer nurses

Why the gap in Iowa

Psychiatric and med-surg nurse pay is comparable, as both are staff RN roles on the same wage base. Psych nursing focuses on mental-health assessment, de-escalation, and behavioral care; med-surg on broad adult inpatient care. Setting, shift, and the local market matter more than the specialty itself. The Iowa figures apply the same local pay adjustment to both roles, so the gap here mirrors the national picture, shifted for Iowa's cost of labor. Actual pay varies with experience, specialty, shift, and employer — compare the national Psychiatric Nurse vs Med-Surg Nurse comparison or personalize the calculator.

Psychiatric Nurse vs Med-Surg Nurse in Iowa — FAQ

Do psychiatric nurses or med-surg nurses earn more in Iowa?: In Iowa, psychiatric nurses earn more — an estimated $85,410 a year versus $82,920 for med-surg nurses, a gap of about $2,490 (roughly 3% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for Iowa's local pay level.
How much is the psychiatric nurse vs med-surg nurse pay gap in Iowa?: The estimated gap in Iowa is about $2,490 a year, or roughly 3% more for psychiatric nurses. Your actual pay depends on experience, specialty, shift, and employer — use the calculator to compare both for your situation.
Are these Iowa figures exact?: No — they're modeled estimates, not verified Iowa wages. They start from each role's national pay and adjust for Iowa's cost of labor, and they update to verified numbers when official state data is loaded.
Why are some figures verified and others estimates?: National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.

Source & confidence— An estimate for a specialty that public pay data does not list on its own. A ballpark to start from, not an exact figure.

Modeled estimate (BLS national × state wage index)

Iowa figures are estimated by adjusting the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS national median for local pay levels (a state adjustment of 0.85×).

Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 3, 2026. Full methodology

Estimated figures for Iowa. Last reviewed July 3, 2026.