Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Santa Rosa, CA: $47.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Santa Rosa, CA runs $47.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $97,857 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Santa Rosa's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.8, 8% above national), each hour of work buys what $43.65 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $58,715 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Santa Rosa is projected to reach $47.05, significantly exceeding the national median of $32.73. This higher hourly rate reflects the cost of living and demand for LPNs in the region, making it a desirable location for both full-time and part-time employment. For part-time LPNs working three days a week, totaling about 24 hours, this translates into robust weekly earnings, which can support various lifestyle choices. Within the profession, entry-level positions may start at approximately $37.75 per hour, while more experienced LPNs can command as much as $56.05 per hour, showcasing a clear pay progression associated with experience and skill. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, making it a reliable snapshot of current and future earning potential in California's healthcare settings.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.75 | $301.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.11 | $320.91 |
| Median (P50) | $47.05 | $376.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.74 | $405.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56.05 | $448.42 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Rosa
Based on $47.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.05/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Rosa, CA can expect to earn approximately $97,858 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $56,456. With a cost-of-living index of 107.78 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Rosa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Rosa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,881.88 | $8,155 | $97,858 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,129.13 | $4,893 | $58,715 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $752.75 | $3,262 | $39,143 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Santa Rosa) | $47.05 |
| 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 Rosa, CA earn a median of $97,857 per year (2026 est.), which is 43.76% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 17.20% above the California state average of $83,496.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.05/hr = $58,715/year (purchasing power: $54,474).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $97,858/year (purchasing power: $90,791).
CoL index: 107.784 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$31.95/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$44.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.05/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+55.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Santa Rosa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.95/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.72/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.61/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.85/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.77/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.55/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $44.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.73/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Santa Rosa grew 39.3% from $31.95/hr (2019) to $44.51/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.73/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 Rosa 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 Rosa
Evaluating part-time earnings for LPNs, a professional working three days per week can expect to earn around $52,162 annually, a competitive income when compared to many other professions. However, the reality of per diem licensed practical nurse pay in Santa Rosa varies widely; per diem positions often bill between $28-$42 per hour, while agency LPNs can reach rates as high as $45-$60 per hour, particularly in understaffed environments. Facilities such as skilled nursing homes, home health agencies, and hospitals offer differing pay scales, with specialty areas like hospice or corrections often providing additional incentives. Many LPNs must weigh the benefits of full-time positions with health insurance against the flexibility of higher hourly rates without those benefits. Negotiation tips for hourly workers in Santa Rosa include emphasizing your skill set and adaptability to local healthcare needs, which can help leverage a better hourly rate.
More salary data for Santa Rosa, 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 Santa Rosa. 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