LPN Salary

Los Angeles vs Rancho Cordova: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare licensed practical nurse salaries between Los Angeles, CA and Rancho Cordova, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Los Angeles, CA
$83,831
$40.30/hr
Rancho Cordova, CA
$82,828
$39.82/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CARancho Cordova, CA
Median Salary$83,831$82,828
Hourly Rate$40.30$39.82
Entry Level (P10)$67,859$61,200
25th Percentile$78,070$78,152
75th Percentile$98,227$96,629
Top Earner (P90)$102,138$109,615
Total Employed33,59020
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($83,831) and Rancho Cordova ($82,828) licensed practical nurse salaries.Los AngelesRancho CordovaMedian Salary$83,831$82,828Entry Level (P10)$67,859$61,200Top Earner (P90)$102,138$109,615US Median $68,071

Verdict

Los Angeles, CA offers better overall compensation for licensed practical nurses, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Rancho Cordova.

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Rancho Cordova is $1,003 (1.21%). Los Angeles's median is +23.15% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Los Angeles spans $34,279,Rancho Cordova spans $48,415. Rancho Cordova has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced licensed practical nurses.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$67,859
P25$78,070
Median$83,831
P75$98,227
P90 (Top)$102,138
Rancho Cordova
P10 (Entry)$61,200
P25$78,152
Median$82,828
P75$96,629
P90 (Top)$109,615

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($73,817 effective) pays 0.80% more than Rancho Cordova ($73,234 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $83,831
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $73,817
Rancho Cordova
Nominal: $82,828
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $73,234

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,831/year)
  • Larger job market (33,590 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,817)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Rancho Cordova if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($109,615)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in Los Angeles grew 37.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -10.4% growth in Rancho Cordova over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+37.5%

$57,690 (2019) → $79,310 (2025)

Rancho Cordova, CA

+-10.4%

$87,493 (2024) → $78,361 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays licensed practical nurses more: Los Angeles or Rancho Cordova?

Los Angeles has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $83,831/year, compared to Rancho Cordova at $82,828/year — a difference of $1,003 (1.21%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Los Angeles and Rancho Cordova?

Los Angeles licensed practical nurses earn $40.30/hr while Rancho Cordova hygienists earn $39.82/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Los Angeles to Rancho Cordova as a licensed practical nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Rancho Cordova. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $73,817, Rancho Cordova = $73,234), job availability (33,590 vs 20 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level licensed practical nurses earn in Los Angeles vs Rancho Cordova?

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $67,859 in Los Angeles and $61,200 in Rancho Cordova. The Los Angeles 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