Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, Des Moines

$63,670

BLS OEWS median annual wage in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA. Middle half of wages roughly $58,500 to $74,350.

BLS OEWS median, May 2025, as of May 15, 2026. BEA Regional Price Parity 2024. Disclaimer

vs US median
−1.1%
US median
$64,400
Metro RPP
91.7
Middle half
$58,500 to $74,350
OEWS employment
1,040
SOC
29-2061

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in Des Moines pay a median $63,670 (May 2025), 1.1% below the US median of $64,400. At local prices (RPP 91.7), that median buys about what $69,433 buys at US-average prices.

Purchasing power

$63,670 in Des Moines buys about what $69,433 buys at US-average prices (BEA RPP 91.7, 2024). Housing (rents) RPP is 84.7 vs all-items 91.7 (US = 100, 2024).

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in nearby metros

Metro Median Middle half RPP
Des Moines $63,670 $58,500 to $74,350 91.7
Birmingham $61,040 $50,200 to $68,450 91.6
San Francisco $94,310 $81,650 to $104,110 115.6
Tulsa $59,820 $51,450 to $64,300 89.2

BLS OEWS May 2025 where published for the CBSA.

FAQ

What is the median salary for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in Des Moines?
According to BLS OEWS May 2025, the median annual wage for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is $63,670.
How does Des Moines pay compare to the US median for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
Local median pay is 1.1% below the national OEWS median of $64,400.
How does cost of living change what that wage buys?
BEA RPP for Des Moines is 91.7 (US = 100, 2024). The local median of $63,670 has about the same purchasing power as $69,433 at US-average prices.
How current is this data?
Wages are BLS OEWS May 2025. Price levels use BEA Regional Price Parities for 2024. See methodology for source details.

What this covers

Includes

  • BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, goods, housing rents, other services)
  • BLS OEWS median wages, percentile bands, and employment where published
  • Purchasing-power math: salary × (destination RPP ÷ origin RPP)

Does not include

  • Federal, state, or local income taxes
  • Childcare, healthcare premiums, or leave benefits
  • Job openings. OEWS employment is a published stock estimate, not hiring demand

Median wages are published BLS OEWS metro estimates; price levels use BEA Regional Price Parities. See methodology and disclaimer.