Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Waterloo, IA: $30.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Waterloo, IA runs $30.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,367 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Waterloo's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.1, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.99 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,017 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Waterloo, Iowa, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) earn a median hourly rate of $30.46, which is slightly below the national median of $32.73. This hourly figure indicates a stable earning potential for part-time workers, such as those employed three days a week, along with per-diem LPNs who might find themselves in a variety of settings like skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, or correctional facility infirmaries. For entry-level positions, the hourly pay starts at around $25.78, while the highest earners in the field can make up to $37.87 per hour, showcasing a significant earning potential based on experience and setting. The hourly pay data for LPNs in Waterloo comes from the 2026 projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.78 | $206.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.49 | $227.89 |
| Median (P50) | $30.46 | $243.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.62 | $268.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.87 | $302.98 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waterloo
Based on $30.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.46/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waterloo, IA can expect to earn approximately $63,362 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,555. With a cost-of-living index of 87.06 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Waterloo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waterloo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,218.51 | $5,280 | $63,362 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $731.11 | $3,168 | $38,017 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $487.40 | $2,112 | $25,345 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Waterloo) | $30.46 |
| 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 Waterloo, IA earn a median of $63,367 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.91% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 5.90% below the Iowa state average of $67,340.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.46/hr = $38,017/year (purchasing power: $43,670).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,362/year (purchasing power: $72,783).
CoL index: 87.057 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.82/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.82/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+54.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Waterloo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.82/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.37/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.49/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.69/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.82/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Waterloo grew 38.4% from $20.82/hr (2019) to $28.82/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.20/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 Waterloo 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 Waterloo
Examining the financial landscape for LPNs further reveals interesting trends in part-time and agency work. A licensed practical nurse working 24 hours a week at the median hourly rate would bring home approximately $37,949 annually, a figure that contrasts sharply with full-timers who would earn considerably more. Per diem and agency positions present different avenues, where LPNs frequently bill between $28 and $42 per hour; some may even reach rates of $45 to $60 in high-demand settings. Employers ranging from skilled nursing facilities to physician offices offer varied pay structures, where LPNs might accept lower hourly rates for benefits such as health insurance. When negotiating pay, LPNs in Waterloo can emphasize their local knowledge and experience; highlighting specific skills can make a significant difference in securing attractive compensation within this competitive environment.
More salary data for Waterloo, 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 Waterloo. 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