Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Brea, CA: $79,236 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Brea, CA earns a median $79,236/year (≈ $38.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Brea's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $70,058 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Brea, California, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) can expect a median annual salary of $79,236 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $68,071 for the same year. This local estimate, derived from 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments, also highlights a salary range from $63,714 at the 10th percentile to $100,880 at the 90th percentile. The relatively favorable compensation in Brea is likely influenced by the state’s specific LPN scope of practice, which includes responsibilities such as IV therapy and patient assessment, thus enhancing the overall value of LPN positions within the local healthcare system. With this competitive salary outlook, Brea presents a promising opportunity for aspiring LPNs considering their career pathways in this area.
About the Brea Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,714 | $30.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,624 | $35.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,236 | $38.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93,446 | $44.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,880 | $48.50 |
Median Salary Position
16.40% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brea
In Brea, CA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,166 (2026 est.). At $79,236, the local median is 16.4% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brea: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brea Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Brea median: $79,236/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brea Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $83,494 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | +16.40% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Brea, CA earn a median of $79,236 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.40% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 5.10% below the California state average of $83,494.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brea has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brea, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,236 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $70,058 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,268
2025 BLS Actual
$74,963
2026 Current Est.
$79,236
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Brea (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,268 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,828 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,955 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,579 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,527 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,699 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,963 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,236 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,752 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brea metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $55,268 (2019) to $74,963 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,752 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,484 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brea 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) | $63,714 – $73,624 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,624 – $79,236 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,236 – $93,446 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $93,446 – $100,880 |
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 Brea
The job market for licensed practical nurses in Brea is relatively small, with only 10 LPNs currently employed. However, those entering this field should be mindful of the cost of living, reflected in a cost-of-living index of 113.1, which suggests that salaries must offset higher living expenses. Among various employers, skilled nursing facilities and long-term care settings typically offer the most substantial pay, driven by the acuity and complexity of care needed. Understanding the pay variations can guide LPNs on where to focus their job searches; settings such as skilled nursing often provide additional shift differentials and premium pay for weekend or holiday shifts. Additionally, pursuing certifications in IV therapy may yield further salary benefits. For LPNs in Brea, maximizing their earning potential involves strategically selecting employment settings and seeking opportunities that recognize additional training and experience.
More salary data for Brea, 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 $74,963 for licensed practical nursesin the Brea 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 Brea 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