Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Fort Dodge, IA: $61,786 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Fort Dodge, IA earns a median $61,786/year (≈ $29.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Fort Dodge's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $68,347 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.2% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fort Dodge, IA, licensed practical nurses hold a significant role in various healthcare settings, benefiting from the state's scope-of-practice regulations that include IV therapy and patient assessment. As of 2026, the median annual salary for this profession is projected to be $61,786, with a salary range from $51,100 at the 10th percentile to $73,926 at the 90th percentile. These figures reflect local estimates that account for state-level data and regional cost adjustments. Despite the local context indicating lower compensation compared to the national median of $68,071, this market presents a reliable opportunity for those entering or advancing in the practical nursing field, especially given that Fort Dodge employs a limited number of licensed practical nurses—only four at the moment.
About the Fort Dodge Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,100 | $24.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,197 | $27.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,786 | $29.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,616 | $34.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,926 | $35.54 |
Median Salary Position
9.23% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Dodge
In Fort Dodge, IA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,826 (2026 est.). At $61,786, the local median is 9.23% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fort Dodge: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fort Dodge Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Fort Dodge median: $61,786/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Dodge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $67,305 | -8.20% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -9.23% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Fort Dodge, IA earn a median of $61,786 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.23% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 8.20% below the Iowa state average of $67,305.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Dodge 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.
Fort Dodge, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $61,786 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,347 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,096
2025 BLS Actual
$58,454
2026 Current Est.
$61,786
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Fort Dodge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,096 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,312 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,632 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,577 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,215 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,810 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,454 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,786 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,308 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Dodge metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $43,096 (2019) to $58,454 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,308 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,212 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Dodge 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) | $51,100 – $58,197 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,197 – $61,786 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,786 – $71,616 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,616 – $73,926 |
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 Fort Dodge
The local job market for licensed practical nurses in Fort Dodge reveals a landscape affected by the area's cost of living index of 90.4, suggesting that while salaries may be lower than the national average, purchasing power remains relatively manageable for residents. Skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the highest pay within the local healthcare market, followed by home health agencies and certain hospitals. Variations in compensation can be influenced by several factors, such as shift differentials, certification stipends for IV therapy, and premiums for weekend and holiday shifts. For those looking to maximize their licensed practical nurse pay in Fort Dodge, pursuing additional certifications, particularly in specialized care settings, and taking advantage of opportunities in long-term care can lead to increased earnings and enhanced job prospects.
More salary data for Fort Dodge, 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 $58,454 for licensed practical nursesin the Fort Dodge 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 Fort Dodge 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