Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Daly City, CA: $85,715 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Daly City, CA earns a median $85,715/year (≈ $41.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Daly City's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $75,787 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, licensed practical nurses in Daly City, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $85,715, significantly higher than the national median of $68,071 for the same year. The salary range for LPNs in this area spans from $63,684 at the lower tenth percentile to as high as $109,704 for those at the ninetieth percentile. These numbers reflect adjustments for local cost of living factors, particularly pertinent given Daly City's index score of 113.1—indicating that the cost of living here is above the national average. With about 20 licensed practical nurses currently employed in the area, the job market appears to be stable, creating a level of competition that influences local wage scales and employment opportunities.
About the Daly City Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,684 | $30.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,455 | $36.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,715 | $41.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,460 | $48.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,704 | $52.74 |
Median Salary Position
25.92% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Daly City
In Daly City, CA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,020 (2026 est.). At $85,715, the local median is 25.92% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Daly City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Daly City Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Daly City median: $85,715/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Daly City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $83,543 | +2.60% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +25.92% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Daly City, CA earn a median of $85,715 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.92% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 2.60% above the California state average of $83,543.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Daly City has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Daly City, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $85,715 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,787 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,787
2025 BLS Actual
$81,093
2026 Current Est.
$85,715
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Daly City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,787 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,475 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,530 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,778 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,212 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,544 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,093 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,715 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,601 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Daly City metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $59,787 (2019) to $81,093 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,601 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,814 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Daly City 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) | $63,684 – $76,455 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,455 – $85,715 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,715 – $100,460 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,460 – $109,704 |
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 Daly City
Understanding the local job market dynamics is crucial for maximizing licensed practical nurse pay in Daly City, CA. While the area employs only a small number of LPNs, those who work in skilled nursing facilities generally command higher salaries compared to other settings like home health or physician offices. Shift differentials and special certifications, such as IV therapy, can further enhance earnings, particularly for those willing to work weekends or holidays, which are particularly valued in long-term care environments. Given the elevated cost of living, securing a position in a skilled nursing facility can be an advantageous strategy, enabling LPNs to make the most of their compensation. Transitioning into roles that require advanced skills could also pave the way for significantly higher earnings in the future, especially for those considering LPN-to-RN bridge programs.
More salary data for Daly City, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Daly City, CA in 2026?
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Daly City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Daly City?
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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 $81,093 for licensed practical nursesin the Daly City 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 Daly City 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