Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Modesto, CA: $39.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Modesto, CA runs $39.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,657 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Modesto's regional price level (BEA RPP 104.1, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $38.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,586 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Modesto, California, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $39.73 in 2026, which notably exceeds the national average hourly rate of $32.73. This attractive pay scale makes it feasible for part-time nurses working three days a week to earn a meaningful income while balancing work and personal commitments. In typical environments like skilled nursing facilities, home health care, and physician offices, licensed practical nurses can expect to see an hourly pay range from $31.48 for entry-level positions to as high as $52.26 for experienced practitioners. As per official data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), these figures reflect the demand and value placed on LPNs within the region, emphasizing the critical role they play in healthcare settings.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.48 | $251.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.17 | $281.33 |
| Median (P50) | $39.73 | $317.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.75 | $358.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.26 | $418.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Modesto
Based on $39.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.73/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Modesto, CA can expect to earn approximately $82,644 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,679. With a cost-of-living index of 104.11 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Modesto.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Modesto
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,589.31 | $6,887 | $82,644 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $953.58 | $4,132 | $49,586 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $635.72 | $2,755 | $33,058 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Modesto) | $39.73 |
| 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 Modesto, CA earn a median of $82,657 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.43% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 1.00% below the California state average of $83,492.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.73/hr = $49,586/year (purchasing power: $47,630).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,644/year (purchasing power: $79,383).
CoL index: 104.108 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$27.25/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.73/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+54.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Modesto (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.25/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.21/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.44/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.90/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.00/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Modesto grew 37.9% from $27.25/hr (2019) to $37.59/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.00/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 Modesto 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 Modesto
Part-time LPNs, working around 24 hours a week, can expect to earn approximately $49,822 annually before taxes, a respectable figure compared to their full-time counterparts. Per diem licensed practical nurse pay in Modesto often falls between $28 to $42 per hour, while agency LPNs at busy nursing facilities can command between $45 and $60 per hour. Additionally, the type of employer significantly impacts hourly rates: skilled nursing facilities may offer rates on the lower end, while hospitals could provide more competitive compensation. However, the trade-off often involves sacrificing benefits like health insurance for higher hourly wages, prompting LPNs to weigh their options carefully. Those negotiating their pay can advocate successfully by showcasing their experience and understanding of the local demand, particularly in a market where sustained growth at a rate of 5.70% reflects healthy job opportunities in the coming years.
More salary data for Modesto, 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 Modesto. 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