Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Los Angeles, CA: $40.30 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Los Angeles, CA runs $40.30 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $83,831 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Los Angeles's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.6, 14% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,299 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Los Angeles, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay stands at a competitive $40.30, significantly higher than the national median of $32.73. This advantageous rate offers a robust opportunity for part-time and per-diem work across various healthcare settings, such as skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, physician offices, and hospice patient homes. With entry-level positions typically starting at approximately $32.63, and experienced professionals earning up to $49.11, the hourly wages reflect both the demand for LPNs and the cost of living in the area. This data, drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS projections for 2026, underscores the value of LPNs in LA’s healthcare ecosystem, where their skills are increasingly sought after.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.63 | $261.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.53 | $300.27 |
| Median (P50) | $40.30 | $322.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.23 | $377.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.11 | $392.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Los Angeles
Based on $40.30/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.30/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Los Angeles, CA can expect to earn approximately $83,831 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,364. With a cost-of-living index of 113.57 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Los Angeles.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Los Angeles
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,612.14 | $6,986 | $83,831 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $967.28 | $4,192 | $50,299 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $644.85 | $2,794 | $33,532 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Los Angeles) | $40.30 |
| 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 Los Angeles, CA earn a median of $83,831 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.15% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 0.40% above the California state average of $83,497.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.30/hr = $50,299/year (purchasing power: $44,290).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $83,831/year (purchasing power: $73,817).
CoL index: 113.566 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$27.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.30/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+53.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Los Angeles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.39/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.47/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.28/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.30/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.60/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Los Angeles grew 37.5% from $27.74/hr (2019) to $38.13/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.60/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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles
For licensed practical nurses working part-time, the financial landscape reveals promising earning potential. A three-day work week, totaling about 24 hours, can yield approximately $49,800 annually, a viable income compared to full-time earnings. Per diem roles present similar variability; while they may bill between $28-$42 per hour, some LPNs working through agencies at understaffed facilities can command rates from $45 to $60 per hour. The hourly rates can differ substantially based on employer types, with skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies typically offering lower wages while some hospitals and specialized offices may provide higher rates. Many LPNs face trade-offs between better hourly wages devoid of benefits and lower pay that comes with comprehensive health insurance. This complexity makes negotiation skills essential in securing fair pay, particularly in a bustling market like Los Angeles.
More salary data for Los Angeles, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Los Angeles in 2026?
How much do part-time licensed practical nurses make in Los Angeles?
Are licensed practical nurses in Los Angeles paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time licensed practical nurse make per year in Los Angeles?
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Related Pages
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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 Los Angeles. 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