salary$63,670 a year$31 an hour · median pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$51,970per year
Top pay (top 10%)$78,410per year
Jobs in the area1,040people work this job
Can a licensed practical nurse afford Des Moines?
OK. Rent of $1,266 a month takes 23.9% of the median licensed practical nurse salary. That is under the 30% rule, so one paycheck covers rent comfortably.
Licensed Practical Nurse pay in similar cities
Other jobs in Des Moines
Registered NurseNurse PractitionerNursing AssistantMedical AssistantPharmacistPhysician AssistantDental HygienistElementary School TeacherSoftware DeveloperComputer Systems AnalystAccountantMarket Research AnalystOperations ManagerLawyer
Frequently asked questions
How much does a licensed practical nurse make in Des Moines, IA?
The median pay for a licensed practical nurse in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA area is $63,670 a year ($31 an hour). Most earn between $51,970 and $78,410.
Can a licensed practical nurse afford to live in Des Moines?
Typical rent of $1,266 a month takes 23.9% of the median licensed practical nurse salary, which we rate OK.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area.