Registered Nurse Salary in Cedar Falls, IA: $82,732 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Cedar Falls, IA earns a median $82,732/year (≈ $39.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Cedar Falls's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $91,518 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% above the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cedar Falls, the registered nurse salary for 2026 is projected to reach a median of $82,732, representing a significant financial opportunity in the healthcare sector. The salary range spans from $57,509 at the 10th percentile to $110,426 at the 90th percentile, which indicates a healthy market for nursing professionals. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data highlight the dynamic nature of this field, where shift differentials for nights and weekends can meaningfully impact earnings, adding an extra $3 to $7 per hour during nights and $3 to $5 during weekends. These figures suggest that those willing to work flexible hours can enhance their compensation while contributing significantly to patient care in Cedar Falls.
About the Cedar Falls Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($71,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,509 | $27.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,604 | $34.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,732 | $39.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,768 | $44.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,426 | $53.09 |
Median Salary Position
19.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cedar Falls
In Cedar Falls, IA, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,917 (2026 est.). At $82,732, the local median is 19.47% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cedar Falls: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cedar Falls Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Cedar Falls median: $82,732/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cedar Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $81,269 | +1.80% more |
| National Average | $102,730 | -19.47% less |
Registered Nurses in Cedar Falls, IA earn a median of $82,732 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.47% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 1.80% above the Iowa state average of $81,269.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cedar Falls has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cedar Falls, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $82,732 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $91,518 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,031
2025 BLS Actual
$78,560
2026 Current Est.
$82,732
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Cedar Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,031 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,666 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,494 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,409 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,315 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,586 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,560 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,732 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,125 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cedar Falls metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $59,031 (2019) to $78,560 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,125 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,094 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar Falls 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 5.31% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $57,509 – $71,604 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,604 – $82,732 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,732 – $92,768 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,768 – $110,426 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Cedar Falls
With eight registered nurses currently employed in Cedar Falls, the demand for nursing professionals is evident, especially considering the area's cost of living index of 90.4, which is below the national average. This lower cost of living enhances purchasing power for registered nurses, making their effective take-home pay relatively favorable. Among the various employers, hospital systems, especially those with magnet status, typically offer the highest pay due to their commitment to quality care and staff development. Factors that contribute to the notable variance between lower and higher salaries include additional compensation for specialized certifications and roles such as charge nurses or those in critical care settings. To maximize earning potential, registered nurses in Cedar Falls should consider pursuing specialty certifications and being open to night or weekend shifts, significantly affecting overall compensation packages in this evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Cedar Falls, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
Methodology & Data Source
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $78,560 for registered nursesin the Cedar Falls metropolitan area. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cedar Falls is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov