Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Tulare, CA: $40.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Tulare, CA runs $40.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $84,375 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Tulare's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.87 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,628 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses in Tulare, California, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $40.57, which significantly outpaces the national median of $32.73. This elevated standard reflects the local demand for these healthcare professionals often found in skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, physician offices, and assisted living environments. For those considering part-time opportunities, working three days per week typically allows a licensed practical nurse to adjust their schedule to meet both personal and financial needs while earning anywhere from $31.15 to $51.15 per hour, depending on experience and the work setting. Such flexibility is valuable in a profession that often requires adaptability, especially when working in diverse locations, varying from hospice care to correctional facilities.
About the Tulare 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) | $31.15 | $249.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.75 | $294.02 |
| Median (P50) | $40.57 | $324.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.31 | $378.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.15 | $409.19 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tulare
Based on $40.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.57/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tulare, CA can expect to earn approximately $84,381 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,681. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Tulare.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tulare
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,622.71 | $7,032 | $84,381 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $973.62 | $4,219 | $50,628 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $649.08 | $2,813 | $33,752 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Tulare) | $40.57 |
| 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 Tulare, CA earn a median of $84,375 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.95% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 1.00% above the California state average of $83,540.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.57/hr = $50,628/year (purchasing power: $44,764).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $84,381/year (purchasing power: $74,607).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.30/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.38/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.57/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Tulare (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.30/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.55/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.60/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.85/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.38/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Tulare grew 35.6% from $28.30/hr (2019) to $38.38/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.88/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 Tulare 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 Tulare
When looking at the potential earnings for a part-time licensed practical nurse who works 24 hours a week, annual income can vary widely compared to full-time positions. Part-time practitioners may take home $50,000 to $55,000 a year, which is considerably lower than the potential of full-timers, but it allows for flexibility. The per diem licensed practical nurse pay in Tulare can also vary, with rates typically falling between $28 and $42 per hour for occasional work. In understaffed facilities, some agency LPNs may earn between $45 and $60 an hour, further reflecting market demands. Each employment type brings its own set of pros and cons; for instance, while some licensed practical nurses might prefer higher pay rates without benefits, others might accept lower hourly wages in exchange for health insurance. Negotiating pay effectively can help in achieving a desired balance, especially in Tulare, where understanding the value of skills and experience can lead to better arrangements in various healthcare settings.
More salary data for Tulare, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Tulare in 2026?
How much do part-time licensed practical nurses make in Tulare?
Are licensed practical nurses in Tulare paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time licensed practical nurse make per year in Tulare?
Do licensed practical nurses earn more per hour working part-time in Tulare?
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 Tulare. 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 Tulare 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