Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $63,670 a year ($30.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,040 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,410 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $64,400. Pay here is 2% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $62,630. There are 2.6 licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.62). The average (mean) salary is $65,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,970 | $24.99 |
| 25th percentile | $58,500 | $28.13 |
| Median | $63,670 | $30.61 |
| 75th percentile | $74,350 | $35.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,410 | $37.70 |
| Average (mean) | $65,900 | $31.68 |
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 | $5,305.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,652.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,448.85 |
| Weekly | $1,224.42 |
| Hourly | $30.61 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $63,670 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 |
| 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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | $46,620 | $22.41 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $50,240 | $24.16 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $67,640 | $32.52 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $49,960 | $24.02 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $54,270 | $26.09 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $39,750 | $19.11 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $42,470 | $20.42 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $46,080 | $22.16 |
| Surgical Technologist | $62,250 | $29.93 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $47,780 | $22.97 |
| Paramedic | $61,980 | $29.80 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $87,080 | $41.87 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $48,570 | $23.35 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $78,850 | $37.91 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, 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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $63,670 a year, or $30.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $78,410 a year. The top 25% earn $74,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,970 a year, and a quarter of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earn $58,500 or less.
How many licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 1,040 licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.