Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Iowa: $66,508 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Iowa's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median licensed practical nurse pay sits at $66,508/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2061. Because Iowa sits at BEA RPP 90.4 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $73,571 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Ames ($65,610), Davenport ($64,100), Dubuque ($63,750).
In 2026, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Iowa are projected to earn an average median salary of $66,509, which is slightly below the national median of $68,071, indicating a difference of 2.3%. Among the 26 metro areas in Iowa, Ames offers the highest salary at $69,350, while Fort Dodge reflects the lowest at $61,786, demonstrating a salary gap of $7,564. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as local cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban areas. Iowa's licensing requirements for LPNs include completion of an accredited practical nursing program and passing the NCLEX-PN exam. The state’s scope of practice allows LPNs to perform a variety of clinical tasks, but they work under the supervision of registered nurses or physicians. The projected growth rate for LPNs in Iowa is 5.70% annually, driven by an aging population and increased healthcare needs. Currently, there are approximately 3,436 employed LPNs across Iowa, with top-paying cities also including Davenport at $67,754, Dubuque at $67,384, Iowa City at $67,320, and Des Moines at $67,299. This job market indicates favorable prospects for aspiring LPNs, especially in urban regions where demand continues to rise.
Iowa Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Iowa: $49,366 (lowest entry-level) to $86,318 (highest top earner)
Iowa vs National Average
Iowa licensed practical nurses earn 2.3% less than the national median ($-1,563/year difference).
Iowa Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Licensed Practical Nurse salaries in Iowa range from $54,115 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $81,117 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $66,508. The Iowa median is $1,563 below the US national median of $68,071. The average hourly rate is $31.98/hr. Approximately 3,436 licensed practical nurses are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$44,933
2025 BLS Actual
$62,922
2026 Current Est.
$66,508
2019–2027 Growth
+56.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Iowa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,933 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,062 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,834 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,530 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,726 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,240 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,922 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,508 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,299 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 40.0% from $44,933 (2019) to $62,922 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,299 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,366 (56.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Iowa
Lowest Paying Cities in Iowa
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Fort Dodge | $61,786 |
| Johnston | $62,474 |
| Ottumwa | $62,626 |
| Muscatine | $62,864 |
| Clinton | $63,162 |
Best Value Cities for Licensed Practical Nurses in Iowa
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Iowa cities offer the most purchasing power for licensed practical nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ames | $69,350 | 88.83 | $78,070 |
| Dubuque | $67,384 | 87.328 | $77,162 |
| Davenport | $67,754 | 89.079 | $76,061 |
| Sioux City | $63,885 | 86.454 | $73,895 |
| Iowa City | $67,320 | 91.509 | $73,567 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Iowa
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $54,115 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $66,508 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $81,117 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Iowa metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in Iowa
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ames | $69,350 |
| 2 | Davenport | $67,754 |
| 3 | Dubuque | $67,384 |
| 4 | Iowa City | $67,320 |
| 5 | Des Moines | $67,299 |
| 6 | West Des Moines | $66,429 |
| 7 | Marion | $66,186 |
| 8 | Ankeny | $65,414 |
| 9 | Cedar Rapids | $65,365 |
| 10 | Council Bluffs | $65,002 |
| 11 | Cedar Falls | $64,718 |
| 12 | Burlington | $64,630 |
| 13 | Waukee | $64,398 |
| 14 | Urbandale | $64,311 |
| 15 | Bettendorf | $64,306 |
| 16 | Marshalltown | $64,107 |
| 17 | Coralville | $64,022 |
| 18 | Sioux City | $63,885 |
| 19 | Mason City | $63,727 |
| 20 | North Liberty | $63,476 |
| 21 | Waterloo | $63,367 |
| 22 | Clinton | $63,162 |
| 23 | Muscatine | $62,864 |
| 24 | Ottumwa | $62,626 |
| 25 | Johnston | $62,474 |
| 26 | Fort Dodge | $61,786 |
More Iowa Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced licensed practical nurses.
Explore More Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Iowa in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for licensed practical nurses in Iowa?
How does Iowa licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level licensed practical nurse salary in Iowa?
How many licensed practical nurses are employed in Iowa?
Which Iowa city offers the best value for licensed practical nurses?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 licensed practical nurse compensation across Iowa. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more licensed practical nursescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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