Licensed Practical Nurse salary in Iowa
Licensed Practical Nurses in Iowa earn a median of $28.59 per hour, about $59,460 a year, 5% below the U.S. median of $29.97. The middle half earn between $24.79 and $30.82 per hour. The highest median among Iowa metro areas is in Ames, IA, at $30.30 per hour. Source: BLS, May 2024.
- $28.59median pay per hour
- $59,460median pay per year
- 5,520employed in Iowa
- #38of 50 states by median pay
Licensed Practical Nurse pay in Iowa: percentiles
| Level | Iowa per hour | Iowa per year | U.S. per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $23.32 | $48,510 | $23.06 |
| Lower quartile | $24.79 | $51,560 | $26.55 |
| Median | $28.59 | $59,460 | $29.97 |
| Upper quartile | $30.82 | $64,110 | $35.17 |
| Top 10% | $36.21 | $75,320 | $38.71 |
Licensed Practical Nurse pay by metro area in Iowa
| Metro area | Median / hr | Median / year | Employed | vs Iowa median | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | $30.30 | $63,020 | 170 | 6% above | $34.11 |
| Iowa City, IA | $29.51 | $61,380 | 240 | 3% above | $32.25 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $29.39 | $61,120 | 1,040 | 3% above | $32.05 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $28.54 | $59,370 | 630 | in line with | $32.04 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $28.26 | $58,790 | 370 | 1% below | $31.77 |
| Dubuque, IA | $28.24 | $58,740 | 200 | 1% below | $32.34 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $28.05 | $58,330 | 230 | 2% below | $32.44 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $27.18 | $56,540 | 380 | 5% below | $31.22 |
Metro areas with 30 or more workers in the BLS sample. After cost of living divides the median by the BEA regional price index (U.S. = 100).
Licensed Practical Nurse pay in states next to Iowa
What employers are posting in Iowa
- 5roles with published pay
- $31.38median pay per hour
- $22–$41typical published range
- 3employers hiring
| Employer | Roles | Median pay / hour |
|---|---|---|
| Avera Health | 3 | $31.88 |
| Veterans Health Administration | 1 | $24.55 |
| CommonSpirit Health | 1 | $26.36 |
Midpoints of pay ranges in 5 postings collected October 15, 2026. Posted pay is a different measure from the BLS survey above and can run higher or lower.
Licensed Practical Nurse jobs in Iowa · Licensed Practical Nurse salary nationwide · Iowa state guide · Iowa licensing guide
Common questions
How much does a licensed practical nurse make in Iowa?
The median is $28.59 per hour, about $59,460 a year. The lowest 10% earn under $23.32 and the top 10% earn over $36.21 (BLS, May 2024).
Which Iowa city pays licensed practical nurses the most?
Among Iowa metro areas, Ames, IA has the highest median at $30.30 per hour. See the metro table for the rest and for pay after cost of living.
Where does Iowa rank for licensed practical nurse pay?
Iowa ranks 38th of 50 states by median licensed practical nurse pay.
Is this the same as the pay in job postings?
No. BLS figures come from a survey of employers and cover all workers in the occupation. Posted pay is the range an employer lists on one open role. Both are useful: use the survey for the market and the posting for a specific job.
What do employers near you pay licensed practical nurses? Get the report.
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- 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.
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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
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.