Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Dubuque, IA: $32.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Dubuque, IA runs $32.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,384 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Dubuque's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.3, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $37.10 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,432 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Dubuque, IA, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay is projected at $32.40 for 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $32.73. This competitive hourly rate enables part-time and per-diem LPNs to secure well-paying positions across various settings like skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and physician offices. For example, those working part-time, say at 24 hours per week over three days, can still earn a substantial income while maintaining flexibility in their schedules. The hourly pay in this profession ranges from $26.01 at the entry-level to as high as $38.72 for the top earners, providing ample opportunities for professional advancement and increased responsibilities as one gains experience.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.01 | $208.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.68 | $237.44 |
| Median (P50) | $32.40 | $259.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.06 | $288.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.72 | $309.74 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dubuque
Based on $32.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.40/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dubuque, IA can expect to earn approximately $67,386 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,876. With a cost-of-living index of 87.33 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Dubuque.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dubuque
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,295.88 | $5,615 | $67,386 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $777.53 | $3,369 | $40,432 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $518.35 | $2,246 | $26,954 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Dubuque) | $32.40 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Dubuque, IA earn a median of $67,384 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.01% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 0.10% above the Iowa state average of $67,316.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.40/hr = $40,432/year (purchasing power: $46,298).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,386/year (purchasing power: $77,164).
CoL index: 87.328 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.93/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+63.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Dubuque (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.93/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.27/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.55/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.49/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.17/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.24/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.24/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Dubuque grew 46.4% from $20.93/hr (2019) to $30.65/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.24/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem licensed practical nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dubuque metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Licensed Practical Nurse in Dubuque
The part-time earning potential for a licensed practical nurse working three days a week can significantly affect annual income when compared to full-time roles. This setup can yield approximately $40,236 annually, just under what some full-time counterparts may earn. For those seeking more flexibility, per diem licensed practical nurse pay in Dubuque generally ranges from $28 to $42 per hour, with agency positions potentially offering rates as high as $45 to $60 per hour due to critical staffing needs in long-term care settings. Nonetheless, while the hourly rates may be higher in certain environments, many LPNs in Dubuque also consider the trade-offs in benefits such as health insurance typically offered by more traditional employment. This illustrates the complexities of wage negotiation where practical nurses must weigh hourly earnings against the value of additional perks, especially when working in diverse settings like hospice and assisted living facilities.
More salary data for Dubuque, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Aisha Malik, LPN
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for licensed practical nurses in Dubuque. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for licensed practical nurses (SOC 29-2061).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov