Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Burlington, IA: $64,630 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Burlington, IA earns a median $64,630/year (≈ $31.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Burlington's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $71,493 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Burlington, Iowa, can expect a median annual salary of $64,630 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $68,071. The salary range locally varies significantly, with earnings projected to be between $52,686 at the 10th percentile and $79,088 at the 90th percentile. These figures, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflect the structural employment choices available to LPNs in Burlington. Many LPNs find their positions within skilled nursing facilities, which typically offer higher pay compared to home health agencies or physician offices. This regional pay disparity underscores the importance of selecting appropriate nursing settings for career and income advancement in the local job market.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,686 | $25.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,473 | $29.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,630 | $31.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,486 | $35.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,088 | $38.02 |
Median Salary Position
5.06% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
In Burlington, IA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,402 (2026 est.). At $64,630, the local median is 5.06% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burlington Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Burlington median: $64,630/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $67,323 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -5.06% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Burlington, IA earn a median of $64,630 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.06% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 4.00% below the Iowa state average of $67,323.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burlington 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.
Burlington, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $64,630 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,493 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,080
2025 BLS Actual
$61,145
2026 Current Est.
$64,630
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,080 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,352 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,859 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,711 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,873 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,145 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,630 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,314 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burlington metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $45,080 (2019) to $61,145 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,314 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,234 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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) | $52,686 – $60,473 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,473 – $64,630 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,630 – $74,486 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,486 – $79,088 |
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 Burlington
On the employment front, Burlington currently has a modest number of licensed practical nurses, with only four LPNs reported as employed in the area. This limited workforce may contribute to the upward pressure on wages as demand for nursing care continues to rise. The cost of living index in Burlington stands at 90.4, indicating a lower living expense relative to the national average, which may enhance the purchasing power of local LPN salaries. High-paying employers in the region include skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, primarily due to their capacity to offer shift differentials and other incentives like weekend and holiday premiums. To optimize earnings, LPNs in Burlington should consider specializing in areas that require certifications, such as IV therapy, or seek positions in high-demand environments like long-term care settings, where pay rates are generally more favorable.
More salary data for Burlington, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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 $61,145 for licensed practical nursesin the Burlington 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 Burlington 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