LPN Salary

Hemet vs San Francisco: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

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

Hemet, CA
$83,707
$40.24/hr
San Francisco, CA
$99,686
$47.92/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHemet, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$83,707$99,686
Hourly Rate$40.24$47.92
Entry Level (P10)$63,275$80,226
25th Percentile$75,029$86,304
75th Percentile$96,762$110,044
Top Earner (P90)$104,404$115,340
Total Employed148,800
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hemet ($83,707) and San Francisco ($99,686) licensed practical nurse salaries.HemetSan FranciscoMedian Salary$83,707$99,686Entry Level (P10)$63,275$80,226Top Earner (P90)$104,404$115,340US Median $68,071

Verdict

San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for licensed practical nurses, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Hemet.

The salary gap between Hemet and San Francisco is $15,979 (19.09%). San Francisco's median is +46.44% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hemet spans $41,129,San Francisco spans $35,114. Hemet has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Hemet
P10 (Entry)$63,275
P25$75,029
Median$83,707
P75$96,762
P90 (Top)$104,404
San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$80,226
P25$86,304
Median$99,686
P75$110,044
P90 (Top)$115,340

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($86,224 effective) pays 16.50% more than Hemet ($74,011 effective).

Hemet
Nominal: $83,707
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $74,011
San Francisco
Nominal: $99,686
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $86,224

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hemet if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($99,686/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($115,340)
  • Larger job market (8,800 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $86,224)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in Hemet grew -10.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 39.7% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Hemet, CA

+-10.4%

$88,422 (2024) → $79,193 (2025)

San Francisco, CA

+39.7%

$67,520 (2019) → $94,310 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays licensed practical nurses more: Hemet or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $99,686/year, compared to Hemet at $83,707/year — a difference of $15,979 (19.09%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hemet and San Francisco?

Hemet licensed practical nurses earn $40.24/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $47.92/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hemet to San Francisco as a licensed practical nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hemet and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hemet = $74,011, San Francisco = $86,224), job availability (14 vs 8,800 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level licensed practical nurses earn in Hemet vs San Francisco?

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $63,275 in Hemet and $80,226 in San Francisco. The San Francisco 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