CRNA Iowa Very High Demand

CRNA Travel Nurse Salary in Iowa

Calculate your take-home pay as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist travel nurse in Iowa. CRNAs administer anesthesia and manage patient care before, during, and after surgical procedures. Travel CRNAs are among the highest-paid healthcare travelers.

Last updated: March 4, 2026

Last Financially Reviewed:

Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist

Verified

Average Hourly Rate

$40/hr

CRNA in IA

Weekly Gross Pay

$1,600

Before taxes

Annual Potential

$83,200

Working full-time

#45

Iowa CRNA Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for CRNA travel nurse compensation

Iowa's 8.53% state tax is offset by a low cost of living (index: 89.1). CRNA travel nurses here can expect affordable housing—average rent is $800/month, leaving an estimated $914/week in stipend profit.

Est. Weekly Gross

$2,699

(Taxable + Stipends)

Est. Weekly Net

$2,179

(After 32.53% est. tax)

Stipend vs Housing

+$914/wk

(Surplus or deficit)

Hawaii leads at $58/hr — $18/hr more than Iowa. Compare →

Calculate Your CRNA Pay in Iowa

Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist travel nurse in Iowa. Enter your contract details to see your true discretionary income after cost of living adjustments.

Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown

Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.

Excellent: Your housing stipend matches or exceeds the GSA maximum for Iowa ($686/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate32.5%
Federal: 24%
State: 8.53%

Same state assignment. You'll pay 8.53% state tax plus 24% federal tax.

Overtime (Optional)

Blended Hourly Rate

$70.53

Based on 36 hours in IA.

Gross Weekly Pay

$2,539

Taxable Weekly Income

$1,440

Estimated Weekly Taxes

$468

True Net Weekly Pay

$2,071

Looking for a contract? Get matched with top-paying recruiters.

By submitting, you agree to be contacted by travel nursing agencies.

Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

$26,917

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

$53,835

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

$107,670

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

Loading chart...

Take Home

$2,071

per week

Taxes

$468

per week

Total Gross: $2,539 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$686

$2,970/month

Est. 1BR Rent in Iowa

$800

Monthly average

Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money

+$2,170

Your stipend covers rent with $2,170 left over each month.

Find apartments under $800/month in Des Moines:

We may earn a commission if you book through our link.

Cost of Living Analysis in Iowa

Monthly Net Income:$8,966
Average 1BR Rent:$800
True Discretionary Income:$8,166

After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses

Cost of Living Index:89.1

National average = 100. Iowa's cost of living is lower than the national average by 10.9 points.

💡 Lower cost of living area. Your pay may go further here than in expensive cities.

Housing Cost: Low

Utilities: Low

Rent data based on 2025 market averages. Actual rent may vary by neighborhood and housing type.

Resources for Your Assignment

These are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

GSA Rates & Tax-Free Stipends in Iowa

CRNA travel nurses in Iowa receive the same tax-free stipend rates as other specialties. The specialty premium is reflected in your higher taxable hourly rate.

Lodging

$98/night

Meals & Incidentals

$64/day

Weekly Stipend Max

$1,134

Requirements for CRNA Travel Nurses in Iowa

CRNA Certifications

  • CRNA certification (NBCRNA)
  • MSN or DNP in nurse anesthesia
  • 3+ years CRNA experience preferred
  • ACLS
  • BLS

Iowa Licensing

Compact State Yes
License Cost $200
Processing Time 2-4 weeks

Tax & Cost of Living in Iowa

Tax Information

State Income Tax 8.53%
Tax-Friendly No

Cost of Living

COL Index 89.1
vs National Avg 10.900000000000006% lower
Housing Low

Top Hospitals Hiring CRNA Nurses in Iowa

  • University of Iowa Hospitals
  • MercyOne Des Moines
  • UnityPoint Health

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do CRNA travel nurses make in Iowa?

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist travel nurses in Iowa typically earn between $35 and $52 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $40/hr. This translates to approximately $1,600 per week or $83,200 annually. CRNA nurses often earn a premium due to extremely high demand.

What are the requirements to work as a CRNA travel nurse in Iowa?

To work as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist travel nurse in Iowa, you typically need: CRNA certification (NBCRNA), MSN or DNP in nurse anesthesia, 3+ years CRNA experience preferred, ACLS, BLS. Iowa is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so if you have a compact license, you can work here without additional state licensing.

What GSA rates apply for CRNA travel nurses in Iowa?

The GSA per diem rates for Iowa are: Lodging: $98/night, Meals: $59/day, and Incidentals: $5/day. These rates determine the maximum tax-free stipend amounts. CRNA travel nurses receive the same stipend rates as other specialties—the specialty premium is reflected in the higher taxable hourly rate.

Is Iowa a good state for CRNA travel nurses?

Iowa has higher taxes but often offers competitive rates for travel nurses. CRNA nurses are in extremely high demand, which often leads to better pay and more assignment options. The cost of living index is 89.1 (below national average).

Which cities in Iowa have the best CRNA travel nurse jobs?

Popular cities for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist travel nurse assignments in Iowa include: Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport. Major hospitals like University of Iowa Hospitals and MercyOne Des Moines frequently hire CRNA travel nurses. Use our calculator to compare pay and cost of living across these cities.

Looking for a contract? Get matched with top-paying recruiters.

By submitting, you agree to be contacted by travel nursing agencies.