Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in San Luis Obispo, CA: $40.62 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in San Luis Obispo, CA runs $40.62 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $84,497 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against San Luis Obispo's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.6, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $37.41 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,694 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In San Luis Obispo, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay is projected to reach $40.62 in 2026, a figure that comfortably surpasses the national median hourly rate of $32.73. This elevated rate reflects the demand for practical nursing in settings such as skilled nursing facilities, home health care, and hospice environments, where part-time and per-diem opportunities are commonplace. For those working three days a week, equating to about 24 hours, there is a significant potential for income flexibility and job satisfaction. Hourly rates for entry-level positions start around $33.38, while experienced LPNs can earn up to $54.52 per hour, showcasing a diverse landscape where both new and seasoned professionals can find viable roles.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.38 | $267.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.87 | $302.98 |
| Median (P50) | $40.62 | $324.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.68 | $365.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.52 | $436.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Luis Obispo
Based on $40.62/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.62/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Luis Obispo, CA can expect to earn approximately $84,491 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,745. With a cost-of-living index of 108.60 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Luis Obispo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Luis Obispo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,624.82 | $7,041 | $84,491 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $974.89 | $4,225 | $50,694 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $649.93 | $2,816 | $33,796 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (San Luis Obispo) | $40.62 |
| 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 Luis Obispo, CA earn a median of $84,497 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.13% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 1.20% above the California state average of $83,495.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.62/hr = $50,694/year (purchasing power: $46,682).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $84,491/year (purchasing power: $77,803).
CoL index: 108.596 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.65/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.43/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.62/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in San Luis Obispo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.65/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.27/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.56/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.78/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.06/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.26/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.43/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.62/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.94/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in San Luis Obispo grew 34.1% from $28.65/hr (2019) to $38.43/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.94/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 Luis Obispo 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 Luis Obispo
Considering a part-time schedule, a licensed practical nurse working 24 hours a week would be looking at an annual income of approximately $50,374, considerably less than a full-time salaried LPN. The per diem licensed practical nurse pay in San Luis Obispo varies, with many billing between $28 and $42 per hour, while those in agency roles at nursing homes may command as much as $45-$60 per hour due to staff shortages. Different employer types influence pay rates directly; for instance, skilled nursing facilities typically offer more stable hours compared to the unpredictable nature of home health or agency work. While some may accept lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits like health insurance, others may prefer the higher hourly rates without benefits, trading security for flexibility. Negotiating this balance is essential for those entering or currently in the job market, and understanding what rate to ask for in each specific context can significantly impact overall job satisfaction and financial stability.
More salary data for San Luis Obispo, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in San Luis Obispo in 2026?
How much do part-time licensed practical nurses make in San Luis Obispo?
Are licensed practical nurses in San Luis Obispo paid hourly or salary?
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Do licensed practical nurses earn more per hour working part-time in San Luis Obispo?
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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 Luis Obispo. 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