Iowa Median
$62,630
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.11
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-3% vs US median
US median $64,400
State Rank
#32 of 51
5,510 employed here
How much do Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses make in Iowa?
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses working in Iowa earn a median salary of $62,630 per year, or about $30.11 per hour. That is 3% below the national median of $64,400 for this occupation.
Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $50,550 while the top 10% make $77,710 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $56,400 and $70,840 a year.
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary range in Iowa
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,550 | $24.30 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $56,400 | $27.12 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $62,630 | $30.11 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $70,840 | $34.06 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,710 | $37.36 |
|
How Iowa compares
Iowa ranks 32nd out of 51 states and territories for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary in other states
Washington $83,150Alaska $80,800Oregon $80,470Massachusetts $80,220Rhode Island $80,090California $79,750New Hampshire $77,110Arizona $77,070Nevada $76,160District of Columbia $75,740New Jersey $75,160Illinois $75,000Maryland $74,660Colorado $73,880Connecticut $73,690Maine $73,200Hawaii $71,140Vermont $69,930Delaware $68,710New York $67,180Indiana $65,720Michigan $65,460Virginia $64,920Pennsylvania $63,940Idaho $63,800Wisconsin $63,760Minnesota $63,750Wyoming $63,460North Carolina $63,270Utah $63,230Nebraska $62,660North Dakota $62,300Texas $62,240Montana $62,210Georgia $62,030Ohio $61,950South Carolina $61,820Florida $61,770Kansas $61,760Missouri $61,530Kentucky $60,460New Mexico $59,330Tennessee $58,870Oklahoma $58,320Louisiana $57,470Alabama $57,030Arkansas $56,620West Virginia $55,360South Dakota $52,750Mississippi $50,220
Working as Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in Iowa
Nationally, about 648,000 people work as Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare Iowa pay ($62,630) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses make in Iowa?
The median Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary in Iowa is $62,630 per year, or about $30.11 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $50,550 at the entry level to $77,710 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses about 3% less than the national median of $64,400. Iowa ranks 32nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $62,630 a year. About 5,510 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses are employed in Iowa. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.