Entry-Level Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Brentwood, CA: $62,320 (2026)
Quick Answer:New licensed practical nurses entering the Brentwood, CA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $62,320 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2061, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Brentwood's local price level (BEA RPP 113.1 — 13% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $55,102 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($83,303) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates looking to start their nursing careers in Brentwood, California, can expect an entry-level licensed practical nurse salary starting around $62,320. This figure represents the lower end of the salary spectrum, with experienced professionals in the area earning a median annual salary of $83,303. For early-career nurses, the journey from a starting position to the city’s median can be fairly attainable, moving through the $74,179 mark as they gain experience over the first three to five years. With the projected growth rate for LPNs at 5.70% annually, Brentwood presents a promising market for new grads entering the field in 2026, especially given the gap between entry-level pay and the median salary, indicating opportunities for salary advancement in a short time frame.
About the Brentwood Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Brentwood
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brentwood
Entry-level licensed practical nurses in Brentwood, CA typically start between $62,320 and $74,179 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $49,097 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $83,303 — 22.38% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in California of $18,000 represents just 28.88% of the starting licensed practical nurse pay ($62,320/year) in Brentwood. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on state board of nursing-approved practical nursing programs and ACEN-accredited certificate pathways. Tuition varies by community college, technical school, or hospital-based program setting.
LPN Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Brentwood
- 1Research the Brentwood market: entry-level licensed practical nurse pay ranges from $62,320 to $74,179, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the nursing field — employers in CA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Brentwood, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Brentwood for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Factor in Brentwood's above-average cost of living (index: 113.1) when evaluating offers — a slightly lower salary in a nearby affordable area may provide better purchasing power.
Licensed Practical Nurse Compensation Range
The licensed practical nurse wage spread in Brentwood is $49,097 ( 78.78%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $62,320, experienced hygienists can earn up to $111,417.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$40,965
2025 BLS Actual
$58,959
2026 Current Est.
$62,320
2019–2027 Growth
+60.8%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Brentwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,965 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,163 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,036 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,995 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,135 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,563 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,959 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,320 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,872 | Projected |
Entry-level licensed practical nurse compensation (10th percentile) in Brentwood, CA grew 43.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $40,965 in 2019 to $58,959 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $65,872. New graduates entering the Brentwood job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brentwood metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your nursing Career in Brentwood
Employment opportunities for newly minted LPNs in Brentwood are primarily found within skilled nursing facilities, which often provide robust on-the-job orientation for recent graduates. Home health agencies may also offer appealing roles, as they typically allow for flexible scheduling and the chance to gain diverse experiences. Although physician offices may prefer candidates with specific clinic experience, there are still openings for qualified new graduates. To enhance earning potential, new LPNs should focus on obtaining essential credentials, including a practical nursing diploma from an accredited program, passing the NCLEX-PN, and maintaining an active LPN/LVN license from the state board of nursing. For those interested in expanding their skill set, certifications in IV therapy and wound care can boost starting pay significantly. Given that approximately 35% of LPNs work in long-term care, a strategic entry into this field, along with consideration for LPN-to-RN bridge programs, can set the pace for a rewarding career trajectory, with realistic expectations of steady salary growth in the first few years.
More salary data for Brentwood, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for licensed practical nurses in Brentwood in 2026?
How fast do licensed practical nurse salaries grow in Brentwood?
Is nursing school worth it in Brentwood?
What do new licensed practical nurses make right out of school in Brentwood?
How do I become a licensed practical nurse in California?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new nursing graduates. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Brentwood. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brentwood is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for licensed practical nurses (SOC 29-2061).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov