Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Waterloo, IA: $63,367 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Waterloo, IA earns a median $63,367/year (≈ $30.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Waterloo's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.1), that paycheck buys what $72,788 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.9% below the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The 2026 licensed practical nurse salary in Waterloo, IA, stands at a median of $63,367, which reflects a competitive position within the local healthcare market, especially in relation to skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and clinics. This salary reflects a range from $53,622 at the lower tenth percentile to $78,778 at the ninetieth percentile. Such figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, indicating a steady demand for licensed practical nurses in the area as the job market continues to adapt to the evolving healthcare landscape. Understanding these dynamics can be critical for those pursuing a career in practical nursing, particularly in a city like Waterloo, where the local employment environment influences pay across various settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,622 | $25.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,255 | $28.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,367 | $30.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,942 | $33.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,778 | $37.87 |
Median Salary Position
6.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waterloo
In Waterloo, IA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,156 (2026 est.). At $63,367, the local median is 6.91% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waterloo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waterloo Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Waterloo median: $63,367/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waterloo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $67,340 | -5.90% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -6.91% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Waterloo, IA earn a median of $63,367 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.91% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 5.90% below the Iowa state average of $67,340.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waterloo has a cost of living 12.94% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waterloo, IA has a cost-of-living index of 87.057 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $63,367 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,788 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.87% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,310
2025 BLS Actual
$59,950
2026 Current Est.
$63,367
2019–2027 Growth
+54.7%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Waterloo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,310 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,450 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,770 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,280 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,540 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,950 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,367 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,979 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waterloo metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 38.4% from $43,310 (2019) to $59,950 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,979 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,669 (54.65%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waterloo 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) | $53,622 – $59,255 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,255 – $63,367 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,367 – $69,942 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,942 – $78,778 |
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 Waterloo
The local job market for licensed practical nurses shows a solid employment figure, with approximately 360 LPNs currently working in Waterloo. Given the area's low cost-of-living index of 87.057, wages here can stretch further compared to national averages, enhancing the practical purchasing power for workers. Among the highest-paying sectors for LPNs are skilled nursing facilities, which typically offer premium pay due to the complexity and level of care required. In contrast, home health agencies and physician offices tend to pay less, reflecting the different skill demands and working conditions. Factors such as shift differentials, certifications like IV therapy, and additional premiums for weekend or holiday shifts can substantially affect an individual's earnings. To maximize pay in Waterloo, LPNs should consider roles in long-term care, pursue relevant certifications, and seek opportunities that offer financial incentives for specialized skills or unconventional hours.
More salary data for Waterloo, 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 $59,950 for licensed practical nursesin the Waterloo 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