Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Muscatine, IA: $62,864 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Muscatine, IA earns a median $62,864/year (≈ $30.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Muscatine's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $69,540 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses in Muscatine, IA, can expect a median annual salary of $62,864, which falls short of the national median of $68,071 by 7.65%. The salary structures reveal a range from $53,814 at the lower end (P10) to $77,230 at the higher end (P90). Estimates drawn from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local costs, suggest that the compensation for LPNs in Muscatine reflects the types of care settings available in the area. Skilled nursing facilities often offer better pay compared to home health services or physician offices, highlighting how the nature of the work affects salary potential in this city.
About the Muscatine Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,814 | $25.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,539 | $29.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,864 | $30.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,778 | $34.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,230 | $37.13 |
Median Salary Position
7.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Muscatine
In Muscatine, IA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,416 (2026 est.). At $62,864, the local median is 7.65% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Muscatine: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Muscatine Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Muscatine median: $62,864/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Muscatine Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $67,306 | -6.60% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -7.65% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Muscatine, IA earn a median of $62,864 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.65% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 6.60% below the Iowa state average of $67,306.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Muscatine 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.
Muscatine, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $62,864 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,540 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,848
2025 BLS Actual
$59,474
2026 Current Est.
$62,864
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Muscatine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,848 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,086 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,393 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,442 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,161 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,592 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,474 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,864 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,447 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Muscatine metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $43,848 (2019) to $59,474 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,447 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,599 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Muscatine 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) | $53,814 – $60,539 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,539 – $62,864 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,864 – $72,778 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,778 – $77,230 |
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 Muscatine
While only five licensed practical nurses are currently employed in Muscatine, the relatively low cost of living index of 90.4 presents an opportunity for LPNs to retain a more significant portion of their earnings. Employers in skilled nursing facilities tend to provide higher wages—offsetting the costs associated with long-term care. Factors such as shift differentials, weekend and holiday pay, and IV therapy certification stipends contribute to discrepancies in compensation among LPNs. For those looking to maximize their income in Muscatine, seeking positions in long-term care settings, pursuing extra certifications, or taking advantage of overtime hours can lead to increased earnings. As the demand for practical nursing continues to grow, exploring various employment pathways can only strengthen one’s financial outlook in this field.
More salary data for Muscatine, 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 $59,474 for licensed practical nursesin the Muscatine 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 Muscatine 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