Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Cedar Rapids, IA: $65,365 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Cedar Rapids, IA earns a median $65,365/year (≈ $31.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Cedar Rapids's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.0), that paycheck buys what $73,474 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% below the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The projected median annual salary for licensed practical nurses in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is $65,365 in 2026, reflecting a competitive position within the regional healthcare market. This amount falls below the national median of $68,071, indicating a slight variance that may impact local employment decisions for prospective LPNs. Salary ranges from $54,319 at the 10th percentile to $79,973 at the 90th percentile illustrate the diversity in compensation based on experience, workplace setting, and specific duties performed. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlights the intricacies of salary structures in areas like skilled nursing facilities and home health care, where LPNs can expect varying pay rates based on the nature of their employment.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,319 | $26.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,204 | $29.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,365 | $31.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,933 | $35.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,973 | $38.45 |
Median Salary Position
3.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cedar Rapids
In Cedar Rapids, IA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,654 (2026 est.). At $65,365, the local median is 3.98% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cedar Rapids: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cedar Rapids Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Cedar Rapids median: $65,365/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cedar Rapids Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $67,317 | -2.90% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -3.98% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Cedar Rapids, IA earn a median of $65,365 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.98% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 2.90% below the Iowa state average of $67,317.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cedar Rapids has a cost of living 11.04% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cedar Rapids, IA has a cost-of-living index of 88.963 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $65,365 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,474 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.41% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,430
2025 BLS Actual
$61,840
2026 Current Est.
$65,365
2019–2027 Growth
+59.1%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Cedar Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,430 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,560 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,830 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,430 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,790 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,840 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,365 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,091 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cedar Rapids metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 42.4% from $43,430 (2019) to $61,840 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,091 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,661 (59.09%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar Rapids 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) | $54,319 – $62,204 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,204 – $65,365 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,365 – $72,933 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,933 – $79,973 |
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 Cedar Rapids
In Cedar Rapids, approximately 380 licensed practical nurses are currently employed, contributing to robust opportunities in the local healthcare landscape. The city's cost of living index, measured at 88.963, indicates that wages stretch further here compared to many national benchmarks, enhancing the purchasing power of LPNs. Long-term care facilities tend to offer the highest compensation, particularly for LPNs with specialized certifications such as IV therapy, who often receive additional stipends. Differences in pay can often be attributed to employer types, with skilled nursing seeing a premium over home health or physician offices. To maximize earnings in the Cedar Rapids market, LPNs should consider seeking opportunities in higher-paying environments and be open to shifts that offer additional pay rates or bonuses for weekend and holiday work, strategically positioning themselves for upward mobility in their nursing careers.
More salary data for Cedar Rapids, 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 $61,840 for licensed practical nursesin the Cedar Rapids 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
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