Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Ankeny, IA: $65,414 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Ankeny, IA earns a median $65,414/year (≈ $31.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Ankeny's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $72,361 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ankeny, Iowa, licensed practical nurses can expect to earn a median annual salary of $65,414 in 2026, reflecting the local market's unique dynamics and the state's specific scope-of-practice regulations, which include authority for IV therapy and patient assessment. The salary range for this role in the area spans from $51,457 at the 10th percentile to $86,318 at the 90th percentile, based on estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments. Despite being slightly lower than the national median of $68,071, Ankeny's compensation reflects the cost of living, which is below the national average. Given that the local job market employs 16 licensed practical nurses, the competitive salary insights provide a compelling outlook for prospective healthcare professionals considering this field in Ankeny.
About the Ankeny Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,457 | $24.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,139 | $28.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,414 | $31.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,656 | $37.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,318 | $41.50 |
Median Salary Position
3.9% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ankeny
In Ankeny, IA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,861 (2026 est.). At $65,414, the local median is 3.9% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ankeny: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ankeny Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Ankeny median: $65,414/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ankeny Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $67,298 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -3.90% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Ankeny, IA earn a median of $65,414 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.90% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 2.80% below the Iowa state average of $67,298.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ankeny has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ankeny, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $65,414 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,361 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,627
2025 BLS Actual
$61,886
2026 Current Est.
$65,414
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Ankeny (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,627 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,914 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,193 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,488 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,398 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,441 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,886 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,414 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,142 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ankeny metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $45,627 (2019) to $61,886 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,142 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,515 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ankeny 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $51,457 – $60,139 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,139 – $65,414 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,414 – $78,656 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,656 – $86,318 |
LPN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual licensed practical nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Licensed Practical Nurse Job Market in Ankeny
The job market for licensed practical nurses in Ankeny remains robust, with local employment concentrated among skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities, which typically offer the most competitive pay. With a cost-of-living index of 90.4, residents in Ankeny feel a more favorable economic climate, translating to increased purchasing power for LPNs as their earnings align with specific local needs. Factors influencing the variance in licensed practical nurse pay in Ankeny IA include differences in work settings— with skilled nursing facilities often providing higher wages than home health agencies or physician offices. Moreover, additional incentives such as shift differentials, weekend premiums, and IV therapy certification stipends can significantly impact overall compensation. To maximize earning potential in this market, LPNs should consider focusing on advanced certifications, pursuing shifts at higher-paying institutions, or exploring roles that offer greater flexibility in scheduling.
More salary data for Ankeny, 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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $61,886 for licensed practical nursesin the Ankeny metropolitan area. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Ankeny 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