Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Costa Mesa, CA: $83,913 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Costa Mesa, CA earns a median $83,913/year (≈ $40.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Costa Mesa's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $74,194 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses in Costa Mesa, CA, can expect a median annual salary of $83,913, significantly surpassing the national median of $68,071. The compensation landscape reveals a wide salary range from $64,051 at the 10th percentile to $112,300 at the 90th percentile. These numbers reflect local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, accounting for regional price adjustments. The high earnings potential for LPNs in Costa Mesa highlights the city's diverse healthcare settings, including skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and clinics, allowing nurses to choose environments that best align with their skills and career aspirations while impacting their paychecks.
About the Costa Mesa Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,051 | $30.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,884 | $36.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,913 | $40.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,261 | $48.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,300 | $53.99 |
Median Salary Position
23.27% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Costa Mesa
In Costa Mesa, CA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,249 (2026 est.). At $83,913, the local median is 23.27% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Costa Mesa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Costa Mesa Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Costa Mesa median: $83,913/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Costa Mesa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $83,496 | +0.50% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +23.27% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Costa Mesa, CA earn a median of $83,913 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.27% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 0.50% above the California state average of $83,496.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Costa Mesa has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Costa Mesa, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $83,913 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,194 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,530
2025 BLS Actual
$79,388
2026 Current Est.
$83,913
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Costa Mesa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,530 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,182 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,257 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,332 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,631 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,640 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,388 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,913 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,696 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Costa Mesa metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $58,530 (2019) to $79,388 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,696 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,166 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Costa Mesa 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) | $64,051 – $75,884 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,884 – $83,913 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,913 – $101,261 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,261 – $112,300 |
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 Costa Mesa
Costa Mesa's job market comprises just 23 licensed practical nurses, indicating a relatively small yet specialized workforce. The cost of living index for the area stands at 113.1, above the national average, which affects purchasing power and the overall financial dynamics for LPNs in the city. Among various employment settings, skilled nursing facilities and long-term care typically offer the highest salaries, driven by the complexity and responsibilities associated with chronic patient care. Factors contributing to the salary range include shift differentials, premium pay for holidays, and opportunities for additional certifications such as IV therapy. To maximize their pay, licensed practical nurses can focus on gaining experience in settings that demand higher levels of skill and seek out positions that provide stipends for specialized certifications. Understanding the nuanced pay scales within Costa Mesa can empower LPNs to navigate their career paths more effectively.
More salary data for Costa Mesa, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Costa Mesa, CA in 2026?
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Costa Mesa?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Costa Mesa?
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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
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 $79,388 for licensed practical nursesin the Costa Mesa 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 Costa Mesa 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