Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Waukee, IA: $30.96 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Waukee, IA runs $30.96 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,398 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Waukee's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,637 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Waukee, IA, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay is projected at $30.96, which is slightly below the national median of $32.73. This rate is reflective of the local job market where LPNs often work in diverse settings such as skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and physician offices. For part-time or per-diem LPNs, working three days a week at 24 hours could result in approximately $3,500 a month before taxes, allowing flexible work-life balance while still providing decent income. Entry-level positions in Waukee can start at around $25.04, with experienced professionals potentially earning up to $36.61 per hour. It’s important to recognize that these hourly wages are derived from annual salary data and may vary based on experience and the specific healthcare environment.
About the Waukee Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.04 | $200.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.82 | $230.60 |
| Median (P50) | $30.96 | $247.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.89 | $279.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.61 | $292.92 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waukee
Based on $30.96/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.96/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waukee, IA can expect to earn approximately $64,396 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,151. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Waukee.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waukee
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,238.38 | $5,366 | $64,396 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $743.03 | $3,220 | $38,637 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $495.35 | $2,147 | $25,758 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Waukee) | $30.96 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Waukee, IA earn a median of $64,398 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.40% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 4.30% below the Iowa state average of $67,291.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.96/hr = $38,637/year (purchasing power: $42,741).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,396/year (purchasing power: $71,234).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.59/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.29/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.96/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Waukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.59/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.84/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.17/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.45/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.29/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.96/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.72/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Waukee grew 35.6% from $21.59/hr (2019) to $29.29/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.72/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem licensed practical nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waukee 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.
Working as an Hourly Licensed Practical Nurse in Waukee
The earning potential for part-time licensed practical nurses who work 24 hours per week significantly impacts their take-home pay compared to full-time LPNs. Per diem licensed practical nurse pay in Waukee ranges from about $28 to $42 per hour, while those in high-demand settings, particularly nursing facilities in need of staffing, can command rates as high as $45 to $60 per hour. Variation in hourly wages also exists by employer type: skilled nursing facilities typically offer lower rates than hospitals or hospice care, where the work may be more specialized. These variations may prompt some LPNs to opt for positions that provide benefits, trading lower hourly wages for health insurance. For those entering negotiations, highlighting experience and flexibility can be effective strategies in attaining a better rate, particularly in under-staffed environments in Waukee.
More salary data for Waukee, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Waukee in 2026?
How much do part-time licensed practical nurses make in Waukee?
Are licensed practical nurses in Waukee paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time licensed practical nurse make per year in Waukee?
Do licensed practical nurses earn more per hour working part-time in Waukee?
Related Pages
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Career Resources
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for licensed practical nurses in Waukee. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Waukee is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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