Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Alameda, CA: $81,108 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Alameda, CA earns a median $81,108/year (≈ $38.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Alameda's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $71,714 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the licensed practical nurse salary in Alameda, CA, is projected to reach $81,108 annually, reflecting a notable increase when compared to the national median of $68,071. The salary spectrum for LPNs in this city ranges from $63,719 at the 10th percentile to $106,924 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data, account for state-level variations such as California's LPN scope of practice, which includes specialized skills like IV therapy and assessment, providing local nurses with unique opportunities and potentially higher compensation. This salary outlook considers local market dynamics and cost-of-living adjustments, indicating a favorable environment for licensed practical nurses amidst a growing demand for healthcare professionals in Alameda.
About the Alameda Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,719 | $30.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,506 | $35.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,108 | $38.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,464 | $46.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,924 | $51.40 |
Median Salary Position
19.15% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Alameda
In Alameda, CA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,205 (2026 est.). At $81,108, the local median is 19.15% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Alameda: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Alameda Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Alameda median: $81,108/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Alameda Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $83,530 | -2.90% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | +19.15% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Alameda, CA earn a median of $81,108 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.15% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 2.90% below the California state average of $83,530.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Alameda has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Alameda, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $81,108 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,714 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,573
2025 BLS Actual
$76,734
2026 Current Est.
$81,108
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Alameda (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,573 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,170 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,276 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,081 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,170 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,676 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,734 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,108 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,731 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alameda metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $56,573 (2019) to $76,734 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,731 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,158 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alameda 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $63,719 – $74,506 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,506 – $81,108 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,108 – $97,464 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,464 – $106,924 |
LPN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual licensed practical nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Licensed Practical Nurse Job Market in Alameda
The job market for licensed practical nurses in Alameda is fairly limited, with only 12 LPNs currently employed in the area. The city's cost-of-living index at 113.1 suggests higher living expenses than the national average, impacting the take-home pay for local nurses. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities and long-term care centers typically offer the most competitive compensation among the nursing sectors. Factors like setting differences and specialty qualifications, such as IV therapy certification, can significantly influence earnings. Maximizing pay in Alameda often involves pursuing positions in long-term care facilities where shift differentials and weekend premiums are more prevalent. Therefore, LPNs should consider these elements, alongside potential LPN-to-RN bridge pathways, to enhance their career progression and overall earning potential in the local healthcare market.
More salary data for Alameda, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $76,734 for licensed practical nursesin the Alameda metropolitan area. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Alameda 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