Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary in Ames, IA
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $65,610 a year ($31.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,050 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $64,400. Pay here is 5% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $62,630. There are 3.5 licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $64,680, close to the median.
Pay range for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,420 | $24.72 |
| 25th percentile | $52,990 | $25.48 |
| Median | $65,610 | $31.55 |
| 75th percentile | $75,930 | $36.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,050 | $37.52 |
| Average (mean) | $64,680 | $31.10 |
Half of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,467.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,733.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,523.46 |
| Weekly | $1,261.73 |
| Hourly | $31.55 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $64,100 | 640 |
| Dubuque, IA | $63,750 | 200 |
| Iowa City, IA | $63,690 | 230 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $63,670 | 1,040 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $63,540 | 1,840 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $61,840 | 380 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $60,440 | 260 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $59,950 | 360 |
Highest-paying states for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $83,150 |
| Alaska | $80,800 |
| Oregon | $80,470 |
| Massachusetts | $80,220 |
| Rhode Island | $80,090 |
| California | $79,750 |
| New Hampshire | $77,110 |
| Arizona | $77,070 |
| Nevada | $76,160 |
| District of Columbia | $75,740 |
See Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $50,730 | $24.39 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $39,310 | $18.90 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $56,380 | $27.10 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $66,760 | $32.09 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $49,850 | $23.97 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $48,060 | $23.11 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $40,860 | $19.64 |
| Paramedic | $62,920 | $30.25 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $82,110 | $39.48 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $46,000 | $22.12 |
| Registered Nurse | $77,160 | $37.09 |
| Dental Hygienist | $89,130 | $42.85 |
| Veterinarian | $118,240 | $56.85 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,600 | $61.34 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2061. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in the Ames, IA metro area is $65,610 a year, or $31.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $78,050 a year. The top 25% earn $75,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,420 a year, and a quarter of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earn $52,990 or less.
How many licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses work in Ames, IA?
About 190 licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.