Licensed Practical Nurse salary in Iowa
A licensed practical nurse in Iowa earns an estimated $52,990 a year ($25.48/hr) — about 15% below the U.S. average, with most between $45,810 and $60,670. State figures are estimates based on national pay for the role and local cost of living — a starting point, not a guaranteed local wage.
Licensed Practical Nurse — Iowa
EstimatedMedian annual pay
$52,990
-15% vs nationalHourly
$25.48/hr
- Typical range
- $45,810–$60,670
- What most nurses earn
- High end
- $66,190
- Top earners
- Entry level
- $41,080
- Newer nurses
Licensed Practical Nurse pay by city in Iowa
Estimated pay in the state's largest metro areas.
| City | Est. annual | Est. hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | $54,860 | $26.38 |
Licensed Practical Nurse pay in nearby-paying states
How Iowa compares to states with similar licensed practical nurse pay.
Other nursing roles in Iowa
Compare estimated pay for related roles in this state.
What affects licensed practical nurse pay in Iowa
Lower pay; low cost of living. For a licensed practical nurse specifically, pay is shaped by the metro labor market, hospital vs clinic vs long-term-care setting, union presence, shift differentials, unit acuity, and years of experience. Certifications and a move into charge or advanced-practice roles raise pay further. Use the calculator to estimate your own.
How this estimate was calculated
The Iowa figure adjusts the national RN average of $62,340 for local pay levels — a factor of 0.85× (about 15% below the U.S. average). It is a starting point — not an official Iowa wage — until verified local figures and nurse submissions are loaded.
Local pay can vary well beyond this by specialty, shift, union status, employer type, overtime, and care setting. When official state wage data is loaded, this number updates to a verified value automatically.
Use this state estimate as a starting point
- It’s a starting point for Iowa, based on national pay and local cost of living until official state data is loaded — not a guaranteed local wage.
- Your actual pay shifts with role and specialty, care setting, shift, overtime, union status, and years of experience — so compare a role-specific page and personalize the calculator.
- Reviewed salary submissions from nurses in Iowa make this page more precise over time.
Licensed Practical Nurse salary in Iowa — FAQ
- How much does a licensed practical nurse make in Iowa?
- A licensed practical nurse in Iowa earns an estimated $52,990 a year — about $25.48 an hour, with most between $45,810 and $60,670. That's about 15% below the national average. This is an estimate based on national pay for the role and Iowa's local pay level, not a guaranteed local wage.
- Is Iowa a good state for licensed practical nurses?
- For pay, Iowa sits about 15% below the national average for licensed practical nurses. A higher number often comes with a higher cost of living, so weigh the estimated $52,990 against local housing and expenses rather than the headline figure alone.
- Which city in Iowa pays licensed practical nurses the most?
- Among Iowa metros we track, Des Moines tends to have the highest estimated pay for licensed practical nurses, at roughly $54,860 a year. City figures are estimates based on the role's national pay and local cost of living.
- How does Iowa licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?
- The national figure for a licensed practical nurse is about $62,340 a year, versus an estimated $52,990 in Iowa — about 15% below the national average. Use the calculator to factor in your experience, specialty, and shift.
- Why are some figures verified and others estimates?
- National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.
Source & confidence— An estimate based on national nurse pay and local cost of living. A ballpark to start from, not an exact figure.
Modeled estimate (BLS national × state wage index)
Iowa figures for SOC 29-2061 are modeled by applying a state wage index of 0.85 to the BLS national median. Import official OEWS state files to replace with verified figures.
Source year 2024. Last reviewed June 1, 2025. Full methodology
Estimated figure — national licensed practical nurse pay adjusted for Iowa. Last reviewed June 1, 2025.