Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Bakersfield, CA: $38.69 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Bakersfield, CA runs $38.69 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $80,469 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Bakersfield's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.9, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $38.35 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,280 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bakersfield, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) earn a median hourly rate of $38.69, which significantly exceeds the national median of $32.73. This favorable pay scale is particularly beneficial for part-time and per-diem workers who constitute a significant portion of the workforce in this field. For example, LPNs working three days a week might find this hourly pay translates to a solid income while balancing other commitments. The hourly compensation ranges from $31.54 for entry-level positions up to $46.48 for the most experienced practitioners. Official data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates this hourly metric is especially relevant in the context of various work environments such as skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and assisted living situations, emphasizing the diverse opportunities available in Bakersfield.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.54 | $252.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.82 | $270.59 |
| Median (P50) | $38.69 | $309.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.58 | $324.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.48 | $371.81 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bakersfield
Based on $38.69/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.69/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bakersfield, CA can expect to earn approximately $80,467 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,423. With a cost-of-living index of 100.89 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bakersfield.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bakersfield
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,547.45 | $6,706 | $80,467 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $928.47 | $4,023 | $48,280 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $618.98 | $2,682 | $32,187 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Bakersfield) | $38.69 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Bakersfield, CA earn a median of $80,469 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.21% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 3.60% below the California state average of $83,474.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.69/hr = $48,280/year (purchasing power: $47,856).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $80,467/year (purchasing power: $79,761).
CoL index: 100.886 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$27.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.60/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.69/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Bakersfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.01/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.61/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.66/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.64/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.60/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.69/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Bakersfield grew 35.5% from $27.01/hr (2019) to $36.60/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.89/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem licensed practical nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bakersfield 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.
Working as an Hourly Licensed Practical Nurse in Bakersfield
Considering part-time opportunities, a licensed practical nurse working 24 hours a week may bring home an annual income substantially lower than their full-time counterparts, yet still find this arrangement suitable for their lifestyle and responsibilities. Per diem licensed practical nurses in Bakersfield might reasonably expect to earn between $28 and $42 per hour, with agency LPNs commanding potentially higher rates of $45 to $60 per hour in high-demand facilities. Each employer type yields different compensation prospects; for instance, skilled nursing facilities may offer competitive pay, whereas hospices and correctional facilities can vary widely. It’s common for LPNs to weigh the benefits of lower hourly wages with health insurance versus higher pay without benefits. Effectively negotiating hourly rates can make a significant difference in financial outcomes for LPNs in this region, especially if they remain aware of the local job market and seek clarity on compensation structures and benefit packages as they engage with potential employers.
More salary data for Bakersfield, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for licensed practical nurses in Bakersfield. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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