Labor & Delivery Iowa High Demand

Labor & Delivery Travel Nurse Salary in Iowa

Calculate your take-home pay as a Labor & Delivery travel nurse in Iowa. L&D travel nurses care for mothers and newborns during labor, delivery, and postpartum periods.

Last updated: February 21, 2026

Average Hourly Rate

$42/hr

Labor & Delivery in IA

Weekly Gross Pay

$1,680

Before taxes

Annual Potential

$87,360

Working full-time

Calculate Your Labor & Delivery Pay in Iowa

Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay as a Labor & Delivery 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

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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

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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:

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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.

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GSA Rates & Tax-Free Stipends in Iowa

Labor & Delivery 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 Labor & Delivery Travel Nurses in Iowa

Labor & Delivery Certifications

  • BLS
  • NRP
  • 2+ years L&D experience
  • AWHONN preferred

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 Labor & Delivery Nurses in Iowa

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

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Labor & Delivery travel nurses make in Iowa?

Labor & Delivery travel nurses in Iowa typically earn between $37 and $54 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $42/hr. This translates to approximately $1,680 per week or $87,360 annually. Labor & Delivery nurses often earn a premium due to specialized skills required.

What are the requirements to work as a Labor & Delivery travel nurse in Iowa?

To work as a Labor & Delivery travel nurse in Iowa, you typically need: BLS, NRP, 2+ years L&D experience, AWHONN preferred. 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 Labor & Delivery 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. Labor & Delivery 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 Labor & Delivery travel nurses?

Iowa has higher taxes but often offers competitive rates for travel nurses. Labor & Delivery nursing has high demand in this state. The cost of living index is 89.1 (below national average).

Which cities in Iowa have the best Labor & Delivery travel nurse jobs?

Popular cities for Labor & Delivery travel nurse assignments in Iowa include: Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport. Major hospitals like University of Iowa Hospitals and MercyOne Des Moines frequently hire Labor & Delivery 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.