Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Fort Dodge, IA: $29.70 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Fort Dodge, IA runs $29.70 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,786 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Fort Dodge's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.86 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,068 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fort Dodge, Iowa, licensed practical nurses can expect a median hourly pay of $29.70, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $32.73. This difference may influence individuals seeking part-time or per-diem positions, where earnings can vary significantly based on the number of hours worked each week. In typical healthcare environments, such as skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, or physician offices, LPNs may find themselves earning between $24.56 and $35.54 hourly, depending on their experience and the specific demands of their role. With hourly wages projected from annual salary estimates, these figures suggest a balance of opportunities in Fort Dodge for both entry-level and seasoned professionals.
About the Fort Dodge Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.56 | $196.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.98 | $223.83 |
| Median (P50) | $29.70 | $237.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.43 | $275.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.54 | $284.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Dodge
Based on $29.70/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.70/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Dodge, IA can expect to earn approximately $61,780 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,642. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fort Dodge.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Dodge
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,188.07 | $5,148 | $61,780 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $712.84 | $3,089 | $37,068 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $475.23 | $2,059 | $24,712 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Fort Dodge) | $29.70 |
| 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 Fort Dodge, IA earn a median of $61,786 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.23% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 8.20% below the Iowa state average of $67,305.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.70/hr = $37,068/year (purchasing power: $41,004).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,780/year (purchasing power: $68,340).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.72/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.10/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.70/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Fort Dodge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.72/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.30/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.97/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.83/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.06/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.54/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.10/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.70/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Fort Dodge grew 35.6% from $20.72/hr (2019) to $28.10/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.39/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 Fort Dodge 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 Fort Dodge
Analyzing the potential earnings of LPNs on a part-time schedule reveals that working three days a week (approximately 24 hours) might yield a take-home pay of around $37,320 annually, significantly less than full-time counterparts. Per-diem licensed practical nurses in Fort Dodge often charge between $28 and $42 per hour, while those employed by agencies in understaffed facilities may bill even more, reaching up to $60 per hour. Hourly rates can fluctuate considerably across employer types; for example, skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities typically offer lower wages than hospitals, which may have varying staffing models. Some licensed practical nurses accept reduced pay in exchange for healthcare benefits, showcasing the trade-offs involved in hourly work. Practical negotiations in Fort Dodge can focus on the importance of comprehensive benefit packages versus higher hourly rates, ultimately guiding LPNs in discussions about their worth in the evolving healthcare market.
More salary data for Fort Dodge, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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Career Resources
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 Fort Dodge. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Fort Dodge is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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