LPN Salary

San Francisco vs Yuba City: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

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

San Francisco, CA
$99,686
$47.92/hr
Yuba City, CA
$82,721
$39.77/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CAYuba City, CA
Median Salary$99,686$82,721
Hourly Rate$47.92$39.77
Entry Level (P10)$80,226$68,441
25th Percentile$86,304$76,791
75th Percentile$110,044$87,129
Top Earner (P90)$115,340$95,944
Total Employed8,800330
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($99,686) and Yuba City ($82,721) licensed practical nurse salaries.San FranciscoYuba CityMedian Salary$99,686$82,721Entry Level (P10)$80,226$68,441Top Earner (P90)$115,340$95,944US Median $68,071

Verdict

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

The salary gap between San Francisco and Yuba City is $16,965 (20.51%). 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 San Francisco spans $35,114,Yuba City spans $27,503. San Francisco has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$80,226
P25$86,304
Median$99,686
P75$110,044
P90 (Top)$115,340
Yuba City
P10 (Entry)$68,441
P25$76,791
Median$82,721
P75$87,129
P90 (Top)$95,944

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($86,224 effective) pays 8.65% more than Yuba City ($79,362 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $99,686
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $86,224
Yuba City
Nominal: $82,721
CoL Index: 104.233
Adjusted: $79,362

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Yuba City if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in San Francisco grew 39.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 32.9% growth in Yuba City over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+39.7%

$67,520 (2019) → $94,310 (2025)

Yuba City, CA

+32.9%

$58,880 (2019) → $78,260 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

San Francisco has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $99,686/year, compared to Yuba City at $82,721/year — a difference of $16,965 (20.51%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Francisco and Yuba City?

San Francisco licensed practical nurses earn $47.92/hr while Yuba City hygienists earn $39.77/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and Yuba City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $86,224, Yuba City = $79,362), job availability (8,800 vs 330 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $80,226 in San Francisco and $68,441 in Yuba City. 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