LPN Salary

Concord vs Riverside: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare licensed practical nurse salaries between Concord, CA and Riverside, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Concord, CA
$85,620
$41.16/hr
Riverside, CA
$81,357
$39.12/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricConcord, CARiverside, CA
Median Salary$85,620$81,357
Hourly Rate$41.16$39.12
Entry Level (P10)$63,807$66,041
25th Percentile$76,256$72,891
75th Percentile$102,125$87,668
Top Earner (P90)$112,573$98,491
Total Employed298,200
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Concord ($85,620) and Riverside ($81,357) licensed practical nurse salaries.ConcordRiversideMedian Salary$85,620$81,357Entry Level (P10)$63,807$66,041Top Earner (P90)$112,573$98,491US Median $68,071

Verdict

Concord, CA offers better overall compensation for licensed practical nurses, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Riverside.

The salary gap between Concord and Riverside is $4,263 (5.24%). Concord's median is +25.78% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Concord spans $48,766,Riverside spans $32,450. Concord has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Concord
P10 (Entry)$63,807
P25$76,256
Median$85,620
P75$102,125
P90 (Top)$112,573
Riverside
P10 (Entry)$66,041
P25$72,891
Median$81,357
P75$87,668
P90 (Top)$98,491

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Riverside ($76,433 effective) pays 0.96% more than Concord ($75,703 effective).

Concord
Nominal: $85,620
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $75,703
Riverside
Nominal: $81,357
CoL Index: 106.442
Adjusted: $76,433

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Concord if…

  • Higher median salary ($85,620/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($112,573)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Riverside if…

  • Larger job market (8,200 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $76,433)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in Concord grew -10.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 36.8% growth in Riverside over the same period.

Concord, CA

+-10.4%

$90,444 (2024) → $81,003 (2025)

Riverside, CA

+36.8%

$56,250 (2019) → $76,970 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays licensed practical nurses more: Concord or Riverside?

Concord has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $85,620/year, compared to Riverside at $81,357/year — a difference of $4,263 (5.24%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Concord and Riverside?

Concord licensed practical nurses earn $41.16/hr while Riverside hygienists earn $39.12/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Concord to Riverside as a licensed practical nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Concord and Riverside. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Concord = $75,703, Riverside = $76,433), job availability (29 vs 8,200 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level licensed practical nurses earn in Concord vs Riverside?

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $63,807 in Concord and $66,041 in Riverside. The Riverside area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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.

Clinically reviewed by Daniel Thompson, LPNData verified by Maria Gonzalez, LPN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.70% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov