Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary in Iowa
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in Iowa earn a median of $62,630 a year ($30.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,510 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,710 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $64,400. Iowa ranks 32nd of 51 states for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses pay. 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 $63,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,550 | $24.30 |
| 25th percentile | $56,400 | $27.12 |
| Median | $62,630 | $30.11 |
| 75th percentile | $70,840 | $34.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,710 | $37.36 |
| Average (mean) | $63,420 | $30.49 |
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 | $5,219.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,609.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,408.85 |
| Weekly | $1,204.42 |
| Hourly | $30.11 |
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 cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | $65,610 | 190 |
| 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.
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | $44,860 | $21.57 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $54,260 | $26.09 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $65,930 | $31.70 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $50,640 | $24.35 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $47,910 | $23.04 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $40,660 | $19.55 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $45,560 | $21.90 |
| Paramedic | $60,590 | $29.13 |
| Surgical Technologist | $60,540 | $29.11 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $44,480 | $21.39 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $86,480 | $41.58 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $42,910 | $20.63 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $44,030 | $21.17 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $78,850 | $37.91 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in Iowa is $62,630 a year, or $30.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,710 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses make in Iowa?
The top 10% of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in Iowa earn at least $77,710 a year. The top 25% earn $70,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,550 a year, and a quarter of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earn $56,400 or less.
How many licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses work in Iowa?
About 5,510 licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.