LPN Salary

Rocklin vs Sacramento: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

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

Rocklin, CA
$81,835
$39.34/hr
Sacramento, CA
$86,219
$41.46/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRocklin, CASacramento, CA
Median Salary$81,835$86,219
Hourly Rate$39.34$41.46
Entry Level (P10)$65,442$69,413
25th Percentile$76,037$80,998
75th Percentile$94,166$101,831
Top Earner (P90)$109,533$110,858
Total Employed104,760
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Rocklin ($81,835) and Sacramento ($86,219) licensed practical nurse salaries.RocklinSacramentoMedian Salary$81,835$86,219Entry Level (P10)$65,442$69,413Top Earner (P90)$109,533$110,858US Median $68,071

Verdict

Sacramento, CA offers better overall compensation for licensed practical nurses, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Rocklin.

The salary gap between Rocklin and Sacramento is $4,384 (5.36%). Sacramento's median is +26.66% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Rocklin spans $44,091,Sacramento spans $41,445. Rocklin has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Rocklin
P10 (Entry)$65,442
P25$76,037
Median$81,835
P75$94,166
P90 (Top)$109,533
Sacramento
P10 (Entry)$69,413
P25$80,998
Median$86,219
P75$101,831
P90 (Top)$110,858

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Sacramento ($80,828 effective) pays 11.71% more than Rocklin ($72,356 effective).

Rocklin
Nominal: $81,835
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $72,356
Sacramento
Nominal: $86,219
CoL Index: 106.67
Adjusted: $80,828

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Rocklin if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Sacramento if…

  • Higher median salary ($86,219/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($110,858)
  • Larger job market (4,760 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $80,828)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in Rocklin grew -10.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 38.7% growth in Sacramento over the same period.

Rocklin, CA

+-10.4%

$86,445 (2024) → $77,422 (2025)

Sacramento, CA

+38.7%

$58,830 (2019) → $81,570 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays licensed practical nurses more: Rocklin or Sacramento?

Sacramento has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $86,219/year, compared to Rocklin at $81,835/year — a difference of $4,384 (5.36%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Rocklin and Sacramento?

Rocklin licensed practical nurses earn $39.34/hr while Sacramento hygienists earn $41.46/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Rocklin to Sacramento as a licensed practical nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Rocklin and Sacramento. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Rocklin = $72,356, Sacramento = $80,828), job availability (10 vs 4,760 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level licensed practical nurses earn in Rocklin vs Sacramento?

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $65,442 in Rocklin and $69,413 in Sacramento. The Sacramento area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AM

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