Psychiatric Iowa Moderate Demand

Psychiatric Travel Nurse Salary in Iowa

Calculate your take-home pay as a Psychiatric travel nurse in Iowa. Psychiatric travel nurses care for patients with mental health conditions, requiring specialized training in behavioral health.

Last updated: February 21, 2026

Average Hourly Rate

$41/hr

Psychiatric in IA

Weekly Gross Pay

$1,632

Before taxes

Annual Potential

$84,864

Working full-time

Calculate Your Psychiatric Pay in Iowa

Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay as a Psychiatric 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

Psychiatric 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 Psychiatric Travel Nurses in Iowa

Psychiatric Certifications

  • BLS
  • 1+ years psych experience
  • CPI 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 Psychiatric Nurses in Iowa

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

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Psychiatric travel nurses make in Iowa?

Psychiatric travel nurses in Iowa typically earn between $36 and $53 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $41/hr. This translates to approximately $1,632 per week or $84,864 annually. Psychiatric nurses often earn a premium due to specialized skills required.

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

To work as a Psychiatric travel nurse in Iowa, you typically need: BLS, 1+ years psych experience, CPI 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 Psychiatric 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. Psychiatric 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 Psychiatric travel nurses?

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

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

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