Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Mission Viejo, CA: $40.53 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Mission Viejo, CA runs $40.53 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $84,289 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Mission Viejo's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.83 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,576 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Mission Viejo, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay is projected to be $40.53 for 2026, which significantly surpasses the national hourly median of $32.73. This higher rate reflects the cost of living in California and positions Mission Viejo as a competitive market for LPNs. For part-time workers, such as those operating on a three-day workweek in various settings like skilled nursing facilities or home health agencies, this hourly pay translates to a more sustainable income compared to national averages. Entry-level LPNs may earn around $31.09 hourly, while top earners can expect up to $51.12 per hour, effectively utilizing their skills across a diverse range of environments including hospice care and correctional facilities. Such estimates are derived from annual salary data and illustrate the financial opportunities available to licensed practical nurses in the region.
About the Mission Viejo Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.09 | $248.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.67 | $293.34 |
| Median (P50) | $40.53 | $324.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.18 | $377.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.12 | $408.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Mission Viejo
Based on $40.53/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.53/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Mission Viejo, CA can expect to earn approximately $84,293 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,630. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Mission Viejo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Mission Viejo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,621.02 | $7,024 | $84,293 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $972.61 | $4,215 | $50,576 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $648.41 | $2,810 | $33,717 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Mission Viejo) | $40.53 |
| 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 Mission Viejo, CA earn a median of $84,289 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.83% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 0.90% above the California state average of $83,538.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.53/hr = $50,576/year (purchasing power: $44,718).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $84,293/year (purchasing power: $74,529).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.27/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.53/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Mission Viejo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.27/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.06/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.62/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.52/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.81/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.53/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Mission Viejo grew 35.6% from $28.27/hr (2019) to $38.34/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.84/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 Mission Viejo 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 Mission Viejo
Part-time licensed practical nurses working a typical schedule of 24 hours per week can expect a substantial but varying annual income compared to their full-time counterparts. For instance, an LPN at the median hourly rate would bring home over $50,000 annually, whereas full-time positions would significantly increase this figure. Additionally, per diem licensed practical nurse pay in Mission Viejo can vary; these professionals often charge between $28 to $42 per hour, with agency LPNs sometimes demanding rates as high as $60 per hour in particular markets. The hourly rates differ based on the type of employer—skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health agencies often provide varying compensation. Licensed practical nurses may need to assess their earnings against benefits, as positions offering lower pay can sometimes provide health insurance. Effective negotiation strategies are crucial in this context, especially in a high-demand area like Mission Viejo, where experienced LPNs can leverage their skills to secure favorable terms.
More salary data for Mission Viejo, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Mission Viejo in 2026?
How much do part-time licensed practical nurses make in Mission Viejo?
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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 Mission Viejo. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Mission Viejo 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