Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Fairfield, CA: $86,106 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Fairfield, CA earns a median $86,106/year (≈ $41.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Fairfield's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $76,133 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Fairfield, California, are expected to earn a median annual salary of $86,106, reflecting the impact of the state's comprehensive LPN scope-of-practice rules, including authority for IV therapy and patient assessment. This salary sits significantly above the 2026 national median of $68,071, indicating a market that values the specialized skills LPNs bring to healthcare settings. The full salary range for LPNs in this area will span from $64,861 at the 10th percentile up to $110,795 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the potential for variability based on experience, specialization, and type of employer. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost differences, underscoring the competitive job market in Fairfield, where the demand for practical nursing continues to grow.
About the Fairfield Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,861 | $31.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,278 | $37.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,106 | $41.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,470 | $48.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,795 | $53.26 |
Median Salary Position
26.49% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fairfield
In Fairfield, CA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,934 (2026 est.). At $86,106, the local median is 26.49% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fairfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fairfield Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Fairfield median: $86,106/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fairfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $83,517 | +3.10% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +26.49% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Fairfield, CA earn a median of $86,106 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.49% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 3.10% above the California state average of $83,517.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fairfield has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fairfield, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $86,106 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,133 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,060
2025 BLS Actual
$81,463
2026 Current Est.
$86,106
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Fairfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,060 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,755 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,806 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,092 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,556 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,957 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,463 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,106 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,014 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fairfield metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $60,060 (2019) to $81,463 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,014 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,954 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fairfield 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) | $64,861 – $77,278 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,278 – $86,106 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,106 – $101,470 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,470 – $110,795 |
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 Fairfield
Currently, approximately 25 licensed practical nurses are employed in Fairfield, navigating a job market influenced by the area's cost of living index of 113.1, which surpasses the national average. This higher cost of living potentially affects take-home pay and purchasing power, pushing LPNs towards employers that offer competitive salaries such as skilled nursing facilities and long-term care organizations, which generally pay more than home health agencies and physician offices. The pay disparity among LPNs in Fairfield can be attributed to various factors, including certifications in IV therapy, the setting of employment, and the availability of shift differentials or holiday premiums. LPNs can maximize their earning potential by pursuing additional certifications, seeking out high-demand employers like hospice care and correctional facilities, and being open to shifts in skilled nursing environments, which tend to offer better compensation overall.
More salary data for Fairfield, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Fairfield?
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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 $81,463 for licensed practical nursesin the Fairfield 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 Fairfield 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