PermanentPosted 6 days ago
Licensed Practical Nurse - Primary Care Patient Aligned Care Team
Veterans Health Administration · Dubuque, IA
$39k–$63k/ year
New this week
Licensed Practical Nurse jobs in Ankeny, IA
Licensed Practical Nurses in the Ankeny area earn a median of $29.39 per hour, about $61,120 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $27.83 and $33.94. That ranks 178th of 386 U.S. metro areas for licensed practical nurse pay, and 118th of 341 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 4 hospitals in the Ankeny metro area. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Ankeny.
- $29.39median pay per hour, Des Moines
- $28–$34typical range per hour
- 1,040licensed practical nurses employed in the metro area
- 92cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Licensed Practical Nurse pay in Ankeny, IA
The metro median is 3% above the Iowa statewide median of $28.59 per hour. Nationally the median is $29.97 per hour. BLS counts about 1,040 licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines metro area, 2.6 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.63).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $24.55 | $51,060 | 18% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $27.83 | $57,890 | 7% below U.S. median |
| Median | $29.39 | $61,120 | 2% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $33.94 | $70,600 | 13% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $37.30 | $77,580 | 24% above U.S. median |
How Ankeny ranks
- 178th of 386 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 118th of 341 after adjusting for local prices
- 3rd of 8 Iowa metro areas
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses (SOC 29-2061), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.
What your pay buys in Ankeny
- Overall prices in Des Moines-West Des Moines run 8% below the U.S. average (index 91.7, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 15% below the U.S. average (index 84.7).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $29.39 median hour buys what $32.05 buys at the national price level, 7% above the national median.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.
Get the Ankeny Licensed Practical Nurse pay report
Named employers near Ankeny, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Ankeny paycheck
Estimated weekly gross$1,058
- Per year: $52,902
- Per month: $4,408
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Des Moines-West Des Moines metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Travel assignment per diem in Ankeny
| Item | Federal rate |
|---|---|
| Lodging per night | $121 |
| Meals and incidentals per day | $80 |
| Per week (7 nights, 7 days) | $1,407 |
| 13-week assignment | $18,291 |
Travel licensed practical nurse assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free. Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.
Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).
Open Licensed Practical Nurse roles in Iowa
Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in Ankeny as they open.
Per diemPosted 10 days ago
Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | Rock Rapids Clinic PRN
Avera Health · Rock Rapids, IA
$22.50–$41.25/ hour
For youUpdated weekly
20+ more Licensed Practical Nurse roles for you in Iowa
Most are never shown on this page. Tell us your role and get the full list, with the pay on every one, in your inbox within 24 hours.
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PermanentPosted 17 days ago
PCU LPN
CommonSpirit Health · Council Bluffs, IA
$21.85–$30.87/ hour
PermanentPosted 30+ days ago
Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | Spencer Clinic
Avera Health · Spencer, IA
$22.50–$41.25/ hour
PermanentPosted 30+ days ago
Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | Spencer Clinic
Avera Health · Spencer, IA
$22.00–$40.75/ hour
Hospitals in the Des Moines-West Des Moines area
CMS lists 4 hospitals in the Des Moines-West Des Moines area, 1 of the 4 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of licensed practical nurses.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Va Central Iowa Healthcare System Des Moines, IA | Acute Care - Veterans Administration | Government and federal | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Broadlawns Medical Center Des Moines, IA | Acute care | Government and federal | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Unitypoint Health - Des Moines Iowa Methodist Medi Des Moines, IA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Mercyone Des Moines Medical Center Des Moines, IA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 1 of 5 | Yes |
Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.
Primary care shortage areas in Polk County
HRSA lists 3 active primary care shortage designations that include Polk County (1 population-group, 2 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 19 on a 0 to 25 scale, where a higher score means a greater shortage.
Shortage areas are where demand for nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other clinicians is greatest. Federal loan repayment programs such as the NHSC and Nurse Corps cover some clinicians who work at eligible shortage-area sites. Eligibility is set by each program and by the site, so ask your recruiter before you plan around it.
Source: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas data warehouse, designated areas only. A designation can cover part of a county.
Licensed Practical Nurse pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA | 11 mi | $29.39/hr | 213,096 |
| West Des Moines, IA | 16 mi | $29.39/hr | 73,664 |
| Ames, IA | 20 mi | $30.30/hr | 69,026 |
| Waterloo, IA | 83 mi | $27.18/hr | 67,477 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 100 mi | $28.26/hr | 137,904 |
| Iowa City, IA | 107 mi | $29.51/hr | 76,710 |
Licensed Practical Nurse jobs in Iowa · Licensed Practical Nurse jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in Iowa
Iowa is in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so an RN or LPN/LVN with a multistate license from another compact state can work here without a new license. Nurses whose home state is not in the compact apply for a Iowa license by endorsement.
Iowa taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Ankeny
Ankeny city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Ankeny, IA?
Licensed Practical Nurses in the Des Moines-West Des Moines metro area have a median pay of $29.39 per hour, about $61,120 a year. The middle half earn between $27.83 and $33.94 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Ankeny a good place for licensed practical nurses once cost of living is counted?
Des Moines-West Des Moines ranks 118th of 341 metro areas for licensed practical nurse pay after adjusting for local prices, and 178th of 386 before adjusting. Overall prices run 8% below the U.S. average.
Where do licensed practical nurses work in Ankeny?
CMS lists 4 hospitals in the Des Moines-West Des Moines area, led by Va Central Iowa Healthcare System. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a Iowa license to work in Ankeny as a licensed practical nurse?
Iowa is in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so an RN or LPN/LVN with a multistate license from another compact state can work here without a new license. Nurses whose home state is not in the compact apply for a Iowa license by endorsement. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.
Is Ankeny in a shortage area?
HRSA lists 3 active primary care shortage designations that include Polk County. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.
What is the per diem for a travel assignment in Ankeny?
The federal per diem benchmark in Ankeny is $121 a night for lodging and $80 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,407 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.
Does Valorem Health place licensed practical nurses in Ankeny?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Ankeny and across Iowa. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Ankeny.
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What do employers near Ankeny pay licensed practical nurses? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other hospitals
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
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20+ Licensed Practical Nurse roles in Iowa, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]
Your LPN / LVN pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your Iowa list by name comes with the full report
1Pay for your role at other hospitals
- Avera HealthSpencer, IA · 3 postings$31.88/ hr$22–$41
- MaineGeneral HealthAugusta, ME · 4 postings$47.83/ hr$32–$63
- CommonSpirit HealthWOODLAND, CA · 5 postings$41.23/ hr$31–$51
- Boston Medical CenterMassachusetts · 3 postings$40.82/ hr$33–$48
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your Iowa list
2What they are offering now
Low$20Median$31.38High$41
5 LPN / LVN postings with published pay in Iowa, 3 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open now: 5 LPN / LVN roles
- Licensed Practical Nurse - Primary Care Patient Aligned Care TeamPermanent$39k–$63k/ year
- Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | Rock Rapids Clinic PRNPer diem$22.50–$41.25/ hour
+ 3 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.
I'm interestedOne click. A recruiter writes only after you reply.