How to Become A Certified Nursing Assistant in Iowa
Iowa employs approximately 22,670 certified nursing assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $39,350 1. The state’s concentration of certified nursing assistant jobs is 1.56x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 204,100 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a certified nursing assistant in Iowa, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Certified Nursing Assistant in Iowa
How do I become a certified nursing assistant in Iowa? Iowa requires credentials such as Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) (Nurse’s Aide), Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). The licensing authority is the Iowa Department of Inspections & Appeals - Division of Health Facilities 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Iowa? Yes. Iowa has licensing or registration requirements for certified nursing assistants. The Iowa Department of Inspections & Appeals - Division of Health Facilities oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do certified nursing assistants earn in Iowa? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Iowa is $39,350 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $35,620 and experienced professionals can earn $47,980 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Iowa Department of Inspections & Appeals - Division of Health Facilities
- Median wage (Iowa): $39,350 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in Iowa
The Iowa Department of Inspections & Appeals - Division of Health Facilities oversees certified nursing assistant licensing in Iowa 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) (Nurse’s Aide) | A certified nursing assistant (CNA) (Nurse’s Aide) provides personal care including feeding, bathing, and assisting patients with personal hygiene. |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | Registered nurses practice nursing skills in hospitals and clinics, schools, clients’ homes, workplaces, long-term care facilities, and many non-traditional settings. |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | Licensed practical nurses work as direct caregivers in a variety of settings including acute and long-term care under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician. |
| Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) | Advanced registered nurse practitioners practice advanced nursing in one of four roles, including: 1) certified registered nurse anesthetists, 2) certified nurse midwives, 3) certified nurse practitio… |
| Nursing Home Activity Director | Persons in this profession organize and lead recreation programs to promote the psychosocial well being of residents, assuring the highest level of participation by residents/clients in health care fa… |
Additional Requirements
- Exam: Third-party exam required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Certified Nursing Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Iowa
Nursing Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Iowa
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), nursing assistants wages in Iowa vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | 7,740 | $40,020 | $43,020 | $37,750 | $49,760 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | 4,660 | $43,940 | $42,640 | $35,420 | $50,630 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | 2,220 | $38,740 | $40,780 | $36,100 | $46,810 |
| Cedar Rapids | 1,740 | $39,110 | $41,100 | $35,350 | $49,810 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | 1,440 | $38,930 | $40,660 | $35,790 | $46,560 |
| Iowa City | 1,310 | $39,330 | $41,730 | $35,060 | $50,630 |
| Dubuque | 1,010 | $41,580 | $41,790 | $36,850 | $50,430 |
| Sioux City | 930 | $38,940 | $41,360 | $36,410 | $48,090 |
| Ames | 770 | $43,540 | $42,980 | $37,010 | $48,920 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Certified nursing assistants in Iowa
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest certified nursing assistant employment within Iowa according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | 4,660 | $43,940 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | 2,220 | $38,740 |
| Cedar Rapids | 1,740 | $39,110 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | 1,440 | $38,930 |
| Iowa City | 1,310 | $39,330 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for certified nursing assistants in Iowa? Iowa currently employs approximately 22,670 certified nursing assistants 1. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a certified nursing assistant in Iowa with an out-of-state license? Contact the Iowa Department of Inspections & Appeals - Division of Health Facilities for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Iowa? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Iowa.
How much do certified nursing assistants earn in Iowa compared to the national average? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Iowa is $39,350, which is $180 below the national median of $39,530 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Iowa Department of Inspections & Appeals - Division of Health Facilities - Licensing Information: https://dia.iowa.gov/health-facilities/certified-nursing-assistants ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |