Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Hawthorne, CA: $82,517 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Hawthorne, CA earns a median $82,517/year (≈ $39.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Hawthorne's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $72,959 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the licensed practical nurse salary in Hawthorne, California, is projected to reach a median of $82,517, representing a significant premium compared to the national average of $68,071. This local wage, which spans from $60,474 (P10) to $103,553 (P90), reflects the area's demand for skilled nursing professionals and the unique work environment. The salary figures account for adjustments based on local cost-of-living factors, which are critical in a city with a cost of living index of 113.1. Shift differentials and weekend premiums contribute meaningfully to earnings, particularly within long-term care settings, making Hawthorne an attractive option for LPNs seeking competitive compensation.
About the Hawthorne Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,474 | $29.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,487 | $37.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,517 | $39.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,767 | $46.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,553 | $49.78 |
Median Salary Position
21.22% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hawthorne
In Hawthorne, CA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,079 (2026 est.). At $82,517, the local median is 21.22% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hawthorne: You'd be above the median
How Hawthorne Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Hawthorne median: $82,517/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hawthorne Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $83,519 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | +21.22% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Hawthorne, CA earn a median of $82,517 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.22% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 1.20% below the California state average of $83,519.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hawthorne has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hawthorne, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $82,517 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,959 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,556
2025 BLS Actual
$78,067
2026 Current Est.
$82,517
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Hawthorne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,556 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,181 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,271 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,211 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,406 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,165 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,067 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,517 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,220 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hawthorne metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $57,556 (2019) to $78,067 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,220 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,664 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hawthorne 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) | $60,474 – $77,487 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,487 – $82,517 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,517 – $95,767 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,767 – $103,553 |
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 Hawthorne
The job market for licensed practical nurses in Hawthorne comprises a limited pool, with only 13 LPNs currently employed in the area. The city’s cost-of-living index, positioned above the national average, impacts take-home pay and purchasing power, which is an essential consideration for prospective nurses. Among the various employers, skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the highest wages, followed by home health agencies and hospitals. The disparity in pay rates can often be attributed to specific job responsibilities, including additional certifications like IV therapy and the presence of shift differentials. For LPNs looking to maximize their earnings in Hawthorne, pursuing higher pay settings such as long-term care, taking on additional certifications, and being open to flexible scheduling can be advantageous strategies tailored to the local market realities.
More salary data for Hawthorne, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Hawthorne, CA in 2026?
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Hawthorne?
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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 $78,067 for licensed practical nursesin the Hawthorne 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 Hawthorne 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