Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Lake Elsinore, CA: $83,257 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Lake Elsinore, CA earns a median $83,257/year (≈ $40.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Lake Elsinore's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $73,614 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The licensed practical nurse salary in Lake Elsinore, CA, is projected to hit a robust $83,257 in 2026, significantly surpassing the national median of $68,071. This compensation illustrates the impact of local healthcare settings on pay scales. The salary range for LPNs in the area varies from $62,210 at the lower end to $111,048 at the upper end, indicating distinct earnings based on work environments such as skilled nursing facilities, home health care, and clinics. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, highlight the competitive nature of healthcare in Lake Elsinore, which is particularly influential in the context of the ongoing demand for skilled nursing services.
About the Lake Elsinore Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,210 | $29.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,082 | $35.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,257 | $40.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,827 | $46.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,048 | $53.39 |
Median Salary Position
22.31% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lake Elsinore
In Lake Elsinore, CA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,838 (2026 est.). At $83,257, the local median is 22.31% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lake Elsinore: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lake Elsinore Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Lake Elsinore median: $83,257/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lake Elsinore Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $83,507 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | +22.31% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Lake Elsinore, CA earn a median of $83,257 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.31% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 0.30% below the California state average of $83,507.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lake Elsinore has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lake Elsinore, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $83,257 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $73,614 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,072
2025 BLS Actual
$78,767
2026 Current Est.
$83,257
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Lake Elsinore (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,072 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,711 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,794 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,805 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,055 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,947 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,767 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,257 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,002 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lake Elsinore metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $58,072 (2019) to $78,767 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,002 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,930 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake Elsinore 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) | $62,210 – $74,082 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,082 – $83,257 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,257 – $95,827 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,827 – $111,048 |
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 Lake Elsinore
With 18 licensed practical nurses currently employed in Lake Elsinore, the job market remains relatively stable for this profession. The cost-of-living index of 113.1 suggests that while salaries are competitive, they need to align with local living expenses for effective purchasing power. Among various employers, skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the highest pay, especially when factoring in shift differentials, IV therapy certification stipends, and premiums for weekend or holiday shifts. Variations in pay reflect the responsibilities associated with different healthcare settings, where LPNs in long-term care generally earn more than those in home health or physician offices. To maximize their licensed practical nurse pay in Lake Elsinore, professionals should consider pursuing additional certifications, especially in specialized areas, and applying for roles in high-demand settings such as skilled nursing facilities or hospices.
More salary data for Lake Elsinore, 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 $78,767 for licensed practical nursesin the Lake Elsinore 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 Lake Elsinore 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