Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in West Des Moines, IA: $66,429 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in West Des Moines, IA earns a median $66,429/year (≈ $31.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in West Des Moines's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $73,483 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in West Des Moines, IA, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $66,429, which reflects a slight deviation from the national median of $68,071. The salary range for LPNs in the area extends from $52,833 at the 10th percentile to $85,957 at the 90th percentile. This compensation is influenced by the state's scope-of-practice regulations that empower LPNs to perform IV therapy and conduct assessments, enhancing their value in the healthcare setting. Estimates based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, indicate that these figures are shaped by local economic conditions, making West Des Moines a competitive market for LPNs in light of the broader state and national trends.
About the West Des Moines Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,833 | $25.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,052 | $28.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,429 | $31.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,856 | $37.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,957 | $41.33 |
Median Salary Position
2.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in West Des Moines
In West Des Moines, IA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,124 (2026 est.). At $66,429, the local median is 2.41% below the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in West Des Moines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How West Des Moines Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
West Des Moines median: $66,429/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | West Des Moines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $67,304 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -2.41% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in West Des Moines, IA earn a median of $66,429 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.41% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 1.30% below the Iowa state average of $67,304.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
West Des Moines 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.
West Des Moines, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $66,429 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,483 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,335
2025 BLS Actual
$62,847
2026 Current Est.
$66,429
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in West Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,335 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,643 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,911 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,303 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,290 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,703 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,847 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,429 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,216 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the West Des Moines metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $46,335 (2019) to $62,847 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,216 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,881 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the West Des Moines 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) | $52,833 – $60,052 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,052 – $66,429 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,429 – $78,856 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,856 – $85,957 |
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 West Des Moines
The job market for licensed practical nurses in West Des Moines includes about 16 employed LPNs, indicating a manageable yet potentially competitive environment. With a cost-of-living index of 90.4, the purchasing power of LPN salaries tends to be favorable compared to national averages, allowing for practical living expectations in the city. Skilled nursing facilities often provide higher pay rates compared to home health agencies or physician's offices, partly due to the complex needs of long-term care patients. Additional factors influencing salary disparities include shift differentials, certification stipends for IV therapy, and premiums for working weekends or holidays. For LPNs looking to maximize earnings in this market, obtaining extra certifications, seeking positions in skilled nursing, and being flexible with shifts can significantly enhance their overall compensation.
More salary data for West Des Moines, 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 $62,847 for licensed practical nursesin the West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines 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