Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in San Jose, CA: $48.44 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in San Jose, CA runs $48.44 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $100,753 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against San Jose's regional price level (BEA RPP 110.4, 10% above national), each hour of work buys what $43.87 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,456 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In San Jose, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay stands at a median rate of $48.44, placing it significantly above the national median of $32.73. This favorable rate demonstrates the financial prospects for LPNs who often work part-time or per-diem positions across various settings, including skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and physician office exam rooms. For those considering part-time roles, working just three days a week could yield a substantial income, given the competitive hourly pay range from $39.29 for entry-level positions to as high as $57.54 for experienced practitioners. The provided data stems from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics, projecting these figures for 2026, which reflects the growing demand for skilled nursing professionals in the region.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.29 | $314.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.69 | $341.54 |
| Median (P50) | $48.44 | $387.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.30 | $410.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.54 | $460.34 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Jose
Based on $48.44/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.44/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Jose, CA can expect to earn approximately $100,760 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,131. With a cost-of-living index of 110.42 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Jose.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Jose
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,937.69 | $8,397 | $100,760 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,162.62 | $5,038 | $60,456 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $775.08 | $3,359 | $40,304 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (San Jose) | $48.44 |
| 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 San Jose, CA earn a median of $100,753 per year (2026 est.), which is 48.01% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 20.60% above the California state average of $83,543.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.44/hr = $60,456/year (purchasing power: $54,749).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $100,760/year (purchasing power: $91,249).
CoL index: 110.423 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$31.59/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.83/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.44/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+62.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in San Jose (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.59/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.09/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.64/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.83/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.44/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in San Jose grew 45.1% from $31.59/hr (2019) to $45.83/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.20/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 San Jose 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 San Jose
For part-time licensed practical nurses in San Jose, working 24 hours a week translates to a convenient annual income that optimally balances professional and personal commitments. The per diem licensed practical nurse pay in San Jose can vary greatly, as those in agency roles typically earn between $28 and $42 per hour, whereas LPNs placed in understaffed nursing facilities may bill rates closer to $45 to $60. These variations depend on the employer type, with hospitals and skilled nursing facilities often providing different compensation structures. LPNs may face a trade-off regarding benefits; while some may choose lower hourly rates for health insurance and other perks, others might opt for higher pay without benefits. Negotiation tips for hourly workers in this city include understanding their worth based on local market trends and being aware of how much employers are willing to pay for competencies like IV therapy or specialized long-term care workflows.
More salary data for San Jose, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in San Jose in 2026?
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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 San Jose. 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