Medical Surgical Nurse Salary Guide: Des Moines, IA
Average Medical Surgical Nurse Salary
$30.19/hour
The average salary for a Medical Surgical Nurse in Des Moines, IA is $30.19 per hour. This is 53% lower than the Iowa average of $46.29.
Estimate based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Medical Surgical Nurse salaries in Des Moines, IA compared to State and National Averages
$30.19/hour
Des Moines, IA
68% lower than the US average.
$46.29/hour
Iowa
10% lower than the US average.
$50.79/hour
United States
How Medical Surgical Nurse Salaries in Des Moines Compare to Other Cities
How Medical Surgical Nurse Salaries in Des Moines Compare to Other Cities
Kansas City, Missouri
$39/hour
This is 22% higher than the Des Moines average of $30.19.
Overland Park, Kansas
$48/hour
This is 37% higher than the Des Moines average of $30.19.
Saint Louis, Missouri
$51/hour
This is 41% higher than the Des Moines average of $30.19.
What cities in Iowa pay the most for Med Surg Nurses?
Only Iowa City, Iowa reports pay data for Medical Surgical Nurses, averaging $33 per hour. Iowa City, Iowa also has the highest ceiling, with max hourly pay reaching $43. For comparison, the Des Moines, IA average for Registered Nurses is $30 per hour — Iowa City, Iowa pays 10% more.
| City | Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, Iowa | $33 | $43 |
Last updated on October 7, 2026. Information based on active jobs on Vivian.com and pay data from BLS and around the web.

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