Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Santa Clara, CA: $49.26 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Santa Clara, CA runs $49.26 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $102,442 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Santa Clara's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $43.55 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,472 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Santa Clara, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay stands at a competitive $49.26, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $32.73. This favorable rate reflects the city's robust demand for LPNs across various settings, including skilled nursing facilities and home health care. For those working part-time, say three days a week, the typical LPN can enjoy a solid income while still maintaining work-life balance. The hourly rates range from $36.84 at the entry-level to as high as $63.09 for top earners, offering a pathway for motivated LPNs to increase their pay through experience and specialization. These estimates, projected from annual salary data in 2026, indicate the financial viability of this profession in Santa Clara, making it an attractive option for aspiring nurses.
About the Santa Clara 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) | $36.84 | $294.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.82 | $366.57 |
| Median (P50) | $49.26 | $394.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57.75 | $462.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63.09 | $504.74 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Clara
Based on $49.26/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.26/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Clara, CA can expect to earn approximately $102,453 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,107. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Clara.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Clara
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,970.25 | $8,538 | $102,453 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,182.15 | $5,123 | $61,472 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $788.10 | $3,415 | $40,981 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Santa Clara) | $49.26 |
| 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 Santa Clara, CA earn a median of $102,442 per year (2026 est.), which is 50.49% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 22.70% above the California state average of $83,490.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.26/hr = $61,472/year (purchasing power: $54,352).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $102,453/year (purchasing power: $90,586).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$34.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.60/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.26/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Santa Clara (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.36/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.33/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.78/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.52/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.22/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.55/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.60/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.26/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.06/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Santa Clara grew 35.6% from $34.36/hr (2019) to $46.60/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.06/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 Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara
Focusing on the part-time earning potential, an LPN working a 24-hour week in Santa Clara could anticipate a take-home pay that translates significantly into annual income compared to full-time work. In the per-diem sector, licensed practical nurses often earn between $28 to $42 per hour, though agency LPNs in high-demand situations might see rates climb to $45-$60 per hour. While travel contracts for LPNs are less frequent than for RNs, they still present opportunities for higher hourly wages. Interestingly, employment settings greatly influence pay; skilled nursing facilities generally pay less than hospitals or specialized clinics, which reflect varying employer compensation strategies. Many LPNs must weigh the trade-off between lower hourly rates with benefits versus higher hourly rates that lack health insurance. Practical negotiation strategies, such as leveraging local demand trends or showcasing specialized skills, can also enhance pay outcomes for licensed practical nurses navigating their careers in CA.
More salary data for Santa Clara, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Santa Clara in 2026?
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Related Pages
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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 Santa Clara. 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 Santa Clara 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