Travel nursing contracts in Des Moines, IA advertise a median of $2,267 a week, with the middle half between $2,136 and $2,573, across 27 open nursing contracts on CircleRN. These are advertised weekly totals before tax, usually including tax-free stipends; for almost all postings the figure is the top of an advertised range. Not take-home pay.
50 openings from $1,894–$3,087/week in Des Moines, IA — Oncology, Med-Surg, Med-Surg - Tele. Pay by specialty, what it costs to live there, and 2 furnished places to stay.
50 openings from $1,894–$3,087/week right now.
2 furnished rentals available for travel nurses.
Prices in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) run 8% lower overall.
| Category | Index | vs national |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 91.7 | 8% lower |
| Housing | 84.7 | 15% lower |
| Utilities | 84.6 | 15% lower |
| Groceries and goods | 93.7 | 6% lower |
| Services | 92.9 | 7% lower |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024, where 100 is the national average.
| Unit | Monthly | Measure |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $905 | HUD Fair Market Rent 2025, utilities included |
| One bedroom | $965 | HUD Fair Market Rent 2025, utilities included |
| Two bedroom | $1,155 | HUD Fair Market Rent 2025, utilities included |
| Three bedroom | $1,550 | HUD Fair Market Rent 2025, utilities included |
| Typical asking rent, all sizes | $1,127 | Zillow Observed Rent Index 2025 |
The federal ceiling on tax-free lodging reimbursement in Des Moines is $122 per night, plus up to $80 a day for meals (GSA, FY2027). That is a maximum, not what agencies pay. Look up the exact rate for any ZIP code.
For the same specialties, Des Moines pays about 6% below the national median, across 27 open listings. Once local prices are counted, that is worth about +2%. Each opening is compared with the national median for its own specialty, so the figure is not distorted by which specialties happen to be hiring here.
Iowa is a Nurse Licensure Compact state, so an active multistate license covers you here. A single-state license from elsewhere does not. Check your license with the compact checker.
Weekly package on assignments open now, for specialties with at least three priced postings.
See all 50 openings in Des Moines
2 hospitals in Des Moines are hiring travel nurses, 47 openings in all. Each page lists the openings by specialty with advertised weekly pay, cost of living and housing nearby.