OR Travel Nurse Salary in Iowa City, Iowa
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Operating Room travel nurses heading to Iowa City.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (OR)
$52/hr
Iowa City, IA
Total Weekly Package
$3,295
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,619
After ~32.53% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: OR in Iowa City
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$3,334/mo
$110/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,150/mo
COL index: 95.5
Monthly Margin
+2,184/mo
Stipend covers rent
Iowa OR Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for OR travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$2,077
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,218
Annual Potential
$108,009
Tax estimate: 8.53% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your OR Pay in Iowa City
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Iowa City's GSA rates and cost of living index of 95.5.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
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
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
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
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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2026 GSA Per Diem Rates — Iowa City
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for OR travel nurses working in Iowa City. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$110/night
$770/week
Meals & Incidentals
$64/day
$448/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,218
Tax-free stipend ceiling
Source: U.S. General Services Administration (GSA.gov) 2026 per diem rates. City-specific rates apply when the work location is more than 50 miles from your tax home.
Requirements for OR Travel Nurses in Iowa
OR Certifications Required
- BLS
- 2+ years OR experience
- CNOR preferred
Iowa Licensing
Hospitals Hiring OR Travel Nurses in Iowa City
- UI Hospitals & Clinics
- Mercy Iowa City
- VA Iowa City
Other Specialties in Iowa City
ICU
~$51/hr
Very HighER
~$50/hr
Very HighLabor & Delivery
~$48/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$45/hr
Very HighPACU
~$49/hr
HighNICU
~$50/hr
HighPICU
~$51/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$45/hr
ModerateOncology
~$47/hr
HighOther Iowa Cities for OR Travel Nurses
View all Iowa cities →Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do OR travel nurses make in Iowa City?
Operating Room travel nurses in Iowa City earn approximately $52/hr in taxable wages ($2,077/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,218/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,295. Annual potential is $108,009 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Iowa City?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Iowa City are: Lodging $110/night, Meals $59/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,218. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is Iowa City affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Iowa City is 95.5 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,150/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$3,334/month, leaving a surplus of $2,184/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do OR travel nurses need for Iowa assignments?
Operating Room travel nurses need: BLS, 2+ years OR experience, CNOR preferred. For Iowa specifically: Iowa is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Iowa City without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Iowa City hire OR travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Iowa City that hire Operating Room travel nurses include: UI Hospitals & Clinics, Mercy Iowa City, VA Iowa City. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open OR positions in Iowa City.
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