Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Dubuque, IA: $67,384 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Dubuque, IA earns a median $67,384/year (≈ $32.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Dubuque's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.3), that paycheck buys what $77,162 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Dubuque, IA, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) earn a median annual salary of $67,384 as projected for 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $68,071. The salary range for this occupation is quite diverse, spanning from $54,097 at the 10th percentile to $80,543 at the 90th percentile. This data is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and reflects the state's LPN scope-of-practice rules, which allow for robust responsibilities such as IV therapy and patient assessment. Given the growing demand in healthcare, the outlook for LPNs in Dubuque is favorable, providing ample opportunities for employment and competitive compensation in various settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,097 | $26.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,739 | $29.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,384 | $32.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,005 | $36.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,543 | $38.72 |
Median Salary Position
1.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dubuque
In Dubuque, IA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,446 (2026 est.). At $67,384, the local median is 1.01% below the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in Dubuque: You'd be above the median
How Dubuque Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Dubuque median: $67,384/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dubuque Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $67,316 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | -1.01% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Dubuque, IA earn a median of $67,384 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.01% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 0.10% above the Iowa state average of $67,316.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dubuque has a cost of living 12.67% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dubuque, IA has a cost-of-living index of 87.328 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $67,384 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $77,162 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.51% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,540
2025 BLS Actual
$63,750
2026 Current Est.
$67,384
2019–2027 Growth
+63.6%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Dubuque (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,540 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,250 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,910 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,930 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,430 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,740 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,750 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,384 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,225 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dubuque metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 46.4% from $43,540 (2019) to $63,750 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,225 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,685 (63.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dubuque 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) | $54,097 – $61,739 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,739 – $67,384 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,384 – $75,005 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,005 – $80,543 |
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 Dubuque
Currently, the job market for licensed practical nurses in Dubuque is home to approximately 200 professionals, a number that contributes to the local economic fabric. The cost of living index in Dubuque stands at 87.328, indicating that the purchasing power for LPNs, while slightly less than the national average, still enables a comfortable lifestyle. Employers in skilled nursing facilities tend to offer higher pay compared to those in home health agencies and physician offices, driving the disparity in earnings. The variance in salaries can be attributed to factors such as work setting, shift differentials, and additional compensation for certifications like IV therapy. For LPNs looking to maximize their earnings in Dubuque, pursuing roles in long-term care and acquiring specialized certifications, while also considering weekend and holiday shifts, can significantly enhance their earning potential.
More salary data for Dubuque, 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 $63,750 for licensed practical nursesin the Dubuque 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