Entry-Level Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Davenport, IA: $53,960 (2026)
Quick Answer:New licensed practical nurses entering the Davenport, IA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $53,960 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2061, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Davenport's local price level (BEA RPP 89.1 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $60,575 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($67,754) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Davenport offers a competitive starting point for licensed practical nurses (LPNs), with entry-level wages anticipated to reach approximately $53,960 in 2026. New graduates can expect to see a significant gap between this starting salary and the city median annual salary of $67,754. However, with experience, there is a clear growth trajectory that allows LPNs to advance to salaries of $63,779 at the 25th percentile and eventually reach the median level. For new graduates in IA, this makes Davenport a viable market, as the projected wage growth is promising, especially against the backdrop of a national median of $68,071, which reflects the broader opportunities available in the field.
Career Earnings Timeline in Davenport
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Davenport
Entry-level licensed practical nurses in Davenport, IA typically start between $53,960 and $63,779 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $26,467 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $67,754 — 0.47% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Iowa of $12,000 represents just 22.24% of the starting licensed practical nurse pay ($53,960/year) in Davenport. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on state board of nursing-approved practical nursing programs and ACEN-accredited certificate pathways. Tuition varies by community college, technical school, or hospital-based program setting.
LPN Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Davenport
- 1Research the Davenport market: entry-level licensed practical nurse pay ranges from $53,960 to $63,779, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the nursing field — employers in IA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Davenport, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Davenport for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Davenport's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Licensed Practical Nurse Compensation Range
The licensed practical nurse wage spread in Davenport is $26,467 ( 49.05%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $53,960, experienced hygienists can earn up to $80,427.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$35,330
2025 BLS Actual
$51,050
2026 Current Est.
$53,960
2019–2027 Growth
+61.4%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Davenport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,330 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,020 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,280 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,450 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,000 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,670 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,050 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,960 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,036 | Projected |
Entry-level licensed practical nurse compensation (10th percentile) in Davenport, IA grew 44.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $35,330 in 2019 to $51,050 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $57,036. New graduates entering the Davenport job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Davenport metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your nursing Career in Davenport
Employers in Davenport’s healthcare sector are well-positioned to integrate new LPN graduates into their teams. Skilled nursing facilities, which typically provide robust on-the-job training and orientation, are among the top employers, while home health agencies cater to those seeking flexible scheduling options. Physician offices often prefer candidates who bring specific clinic experience. Credentials play a vital role in determining new grad licensed practical nurse pay in IA; candidates should hold an active LPN/LVN license, a practical nursing diploma from an accredited program, and have passed the NCLEX-PN. Further certifications in areas like IV therapy or wound care can enhance starting salaries. Given that many LPNs aspire to progress toward RN roles, pursuing LPN-to-RN bridge programs during the first few years can further enhance career prospects and potential earnings as opportunities within long-term care continue to represent a significant portion of LPN employment nationally.
More salary data for Davenport, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Aisha Malik, LPN
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new nursing graduates. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Davenport. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for licensed practical nurses (SOC 29-2061).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov