Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Council Bluffs, IA: $65,002 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Council Bluffs, IA earns a median $65,002/year (≈ $31.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Council Bluffs's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $71,905 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Council Bluffs, Iowa, the projected median annual salary for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) stands at $65,002 for 2026, slightly below the national figure of $68,071. This salary range spans from $50,227 at the 10th percentile to $82,769 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diversity in job settings and expertise levels across the area. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost-of-living factors, reveal that various incentives such as shift differentials and weekend premiums can significantly enhance overall compensation packages in long-term care environments. The local job market remains focused on effective long-term patient care, which continues to drive demand for skilled LPNs within Council Bluffs.
About the Council Bluffs Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,227 | $24.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,281 | $28.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,002 | $31.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,581 | $37.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,769 | $39.80 |
Median Salary Position
4.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Council Bluffs
In Council Bluffs, IA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,542 (2026 est.). At $65,002, the local median is 4.51% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Council Bluffs: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Council Bluffs Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Council Bluffs median: $65,002/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Council Bluffs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $67,290 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -4.51% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Council Bluffs, IA earn a median of $65,002 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.51% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 3.40% below the Iowa state average of $67,290.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Council Bluffs 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.
Council Bluffs, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $65,002 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,905 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,340
2025 BLS Actual
$61,497
2026 Current Est.
$65,002
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Council Bluffs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,340 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,619 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,903 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,158 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,038 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,143 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,497 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,002 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,707 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Council Bluffs metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $45,340 (2019) to $61,497 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,707 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,367 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Council Bluffs 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) | $50,227 – $59,281 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,281 – $65,002 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,002 – $77,581 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,581 – $82,769 |
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 Council Bluffs
Examining the job market dynamics reveals that there are currently 12 licensed practical nurses employed in the Council Bluffs area. With a cost-of-living index of 90.4, salaries for LPNs tend to stretch further in terms of purchasing power compared to many regions. While skilled nursing facilities and long-term care settings typically offer the highest wages, opportunities in home health agencies and physician offices tend to be less lucrative. The pay disparity within the profession can be attributed to various factors, including IV therapy certification stipends, shift differentials, and holiday premiums in long-term care roles. To maximize earning potential, aspiring LPNs in Council Bluffs should seek out positions in high-paying facilities and consider obtaining certifications that heighten their skillset, setting them apart in a competitive landscape.
More salary data for Council Bluffs, 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 $61,497 for licensed practical nursesin the Council Bluffs 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 Council Bluffs 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