Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Riverside, CA: $39.12 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Riverside, CA runs $39.12 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,357 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Riverside's regional price level (BEA RPP 106.4, 6% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,821 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Riverside, California, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay is projected to be $39.12 in 2026, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $32.73. This competitive rate positions LPNs favorably, enabling part-time workers, who typically seek schedules of three days a week, to effectively manage their work-life balance while earning a solid income. Per-diem licensed practical nurses in this area often report earnings that align with this median, providing flexible employment across various settings, including skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and physician offices. The hourly range for LPNs stretches from $31.75 at the entry-level to $47.35 for top earners, reflecting the varying levels of experience and specific job responsibilities within Riverside's diverse healthcare environment.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.75 | $254.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.04 | $280.32 |
| Median (P50) | $39.12 | $312.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.14 | $337.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.35 | $378.83 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Riverside
Based on $39.12/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.12/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Riverside, CA can expect to earn approximately $81,369 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,943. With a cost-of-living index of 106.44 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Riverside.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Riverside
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,564.78 | $6,781 | $81,369 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $938.87 | $4,068 | $48,821 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $625.91 | $2,712 | $32,547 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Riverside) | $39.12 |
| 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 Riverside, CA earn a median of $81,357 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.52% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 2.60% below the California state average of $83,529.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.12/hr = $48,821/year (purchasing power: $45,867).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,369/year (purchasing power: $76,444).
CoL index: 106.442 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$27.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.01/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.12/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+52.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Riverside (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.04/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.78/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.55/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.64/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.33/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.01/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.12/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.35/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Riverside grew 36.9% from $27.04/hr (2019) to $37.01/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.35/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 Riverside 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 Riverside
For a part-time licensed practical nurse working 24 hours a week, the annual take-home earnings can still be substantial, albeit lower than that of a full-time position. This flexibility appeals to many who value time off and balance with personal commitments. Per diem roles introduce variability in earnings; while these nurses can command $28 to $42 per hour, those working through agencies at understaffed facilities may see wages soar to between $45 and $60. Employer types significantly impact hourly rates; LPNs in skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies may earn less due to benefit trade-offs, whereas those in correctional facilities and hospice environments often attract higher pay but may come with different working conditions. For those negotiating hourly wages in Riverside, highlighting relevant experience and specialized skills can create leverage, helping to secure better pay while considering the potential need for health benefits, which some facilities offer at the expense of lower hourly compensation.
More salary data for Riverside, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Riverside in 2026?
How much do part-time licensed practical nurses make in Riverside?
Are licensed practical nurses in Riverside paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time licensed practical nurse make per year in Riverside?
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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 Riverside. 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