Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $59,950 a year ($28.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 360 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,530 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $64,400. Pay here is 4% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $62,630. There are 4.3 licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $61,590, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,730 | $24.39 |
| 25th percentile | $56,060 | $26.95 |
| Median | $59,950 | $28.82 |
| 75th percentile | $66,170 | $31.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,530 | $35.83 |
| Average (mean) | $61,590 | $29.61 |
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 | $4,995.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,497.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,305.77 |
| Weekly | $1,152.88 |
| Hourly | $28.82 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | $40,950 | $19.69 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $47,800 | $22.98 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $64,370 | $30.95 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $46,570 | $22.39 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $47,680 | $22.92 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $43,500 | $20.91 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $45,210 | $21.74 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $80,620 | $38.76 |
| Paramedic | $62,350 | $29.98 |
| Surgical Technologist | $59,910 | $28.80 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $44,930 | $21.60 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $39,270 | $18.88 |
| Registered Nurse | $76,920 | $36.98 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,330 | $60.73 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, 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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $59,950 a year, or $28.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $74,530 a year. The top 25% earn $66,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,730 a year, and a quarter of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earn $56,060 or less.
How many licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 360 licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.