Iowa LPN Salary - How Much Do LPNs Make in IA?

According to May 2018 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Iowa employs 6,500 licensed practical nurses. At that time, the average LPN salary in Iowa was $38,220 per year, or $18.38 per hour. This is lower than the national average of $41,450 per year. Some of this difference may be due to the low cost of living in this state. The cost of living in this state is about eight percent below the national average.

There is some variation in LPN salaries in Iowa. In 2018, those in the tenth percentile made $30,440 or less, and those in the 25th percentile made $33,380 or less. The median annual salary was $37,620. Those in the 75th percentile earned $43,530 or more, and those in the 90th percentile earned $47,350 or more. Some factors that influence salary are experience, employer, and geographic location.

Iowa City had the highest average salary for this occupation in 2018. At the time when the BLS data was recorded, this city employed 260 LPNs at an average salary of $42,510 per year, or $20.44 per hour. Salaries here ranged from below $33,870 to above $49,070. The cost of living in this area is about six percent below the national average.

The Northwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area had the lowest average salary for this occupation. This area encompasses 22 counties in the northwestern part of the state. The average annual salary for the 730 LPNs working in this area was $35,880. Salaries in this area ranged from below $28,310 to above $44,780.

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