Registered Nurse Salary in Mason City, IA: $76,926 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Mason City, IA earns a median $76,926/year (≈ $36.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Mason City's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $85,095 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Registered nurses in Mason City, IA, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $76,926 in 2026, significantly lower than the national median of $102,730. The salary range for RNs in this area extends from $56,467 at the 10th percentile to $103,571 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a diverse compensation landscape driven by various factors such as experience and specialization. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost of living differences. In a market where travel nursing remains an attractive option, registered nurses in established roles may find it challenging to compete with the higher pay typically associated with temporary assignments, potentially affecting the staffing dynamics.
About the Mason City Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($71,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,467 | $27.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,045 | $30.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,926 | $36.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,629 | $41.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,571 | $49.79 |
Median Salary Position
25.12% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mason City
In Mason City, IA, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,104 (2026 est.). At $76,926, the local median is 25.12% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mason City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mason City Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Mason City median: $76,926/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mason City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $81,231 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -25.12% less |
Registered Nurses in Mason City, IA earn a median of $76,926 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.12% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 5.30% below the Iowa state average of $81,231.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mason City 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.
Mason City, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $76,926 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $85,095 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,888
2025 BLS Actual
$73,047
2026 Current Est.
$76,926
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Mason City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,888 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,408 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,108 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,819 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,451 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,767 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,047 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,926 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,011 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mason City metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $54,888 (2019) to $73,047 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,011 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,123 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mason City 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) | $56,467 – $64,045 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,045 – $76,926 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,926 – $86,629 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,629 – $103,571 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Mason City
Analyzing the local job market reveals an employment base of only four registered nurses, indicating a limited yet specialized workforce in Mason City. With a cost of living index of 90.4, the purchasing power for nursing professionals is relatively favorable, suggesting that registered nurse pay in Mason City, IA, provides a comfortable lifestyle. Top-paying employers often include hospital systems and urgent care facilities where advanced critical care skills are rewarded, particularly for roles in the ICU, ED, and surgical settings. Compensation varies significantly, influenced by factors such as shift differentials—nurses can earn additional pay for night and weekend shifts—and specialty certifications, which can lead to higher salary brackets. To maximize earnings, RNs may consider pursuing certification in specialties recognized by organizations such as the AACN or ENA and aiming for positions in magnet-status hospitals that prioritize skilled nursing personnel. Additionally, those willing to embrace flexible schedules as travel nurses may find themselves substantially better compensated compared to permanent staff roles in the local market.
More salary data for Mason City, 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 $73,047 for registered nursesin the Mason City 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 Mason City 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