Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Lake Forest, CA: $81,994 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Lake Forest, CA earns a median $81,994/year (≈ $39.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Lake Forest's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $72,497 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lake Forest, California, the projected median annual salary for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) is set at $81,994 for 2026, surpassing the national median of $68,071 by a significant margin of 20.45%. Salaries range from $65,485 at the 10th percentile to $107,068 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse range of positions available within the healthcare sector. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost of living considerations in Lake Forest, which has a cost of living index of 113.1. As such, effective compensation packages often include shift differentials and weekend premiums, especially in long-term care settings, which can greatly influence overall earnings for LPNs in the area.
About the Lake Forest Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,485 | $31.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,579 | $35.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,994 | $39.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,663 | $46.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,068 | $51.48 |
Median Salary Position
20.45% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lake Forest
In Lake Forest, CA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,583 (2026 est.). At $81,994, the local median is 20.45% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lake Forest: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lake Forest Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Lake Forest median: $81,994/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lake Forest Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $83,497 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | +20.45% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Lake Forest, CA earn a median of $81,994 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.45% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 1.80% below the California state average of $83,497.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lake Forest has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lake Forest, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $81,994 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,497 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,191
2025 BLS Actual
$77,572
2026 Current Est.
$81,994
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Lake Forest (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,191 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,805 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,902 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,792 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,947 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,613 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,572 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,994 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,667 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lake Forest metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $57,191 (2019) to $77,572 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,667 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,476 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake Forest 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) | $65,485 – $74,579 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,579 – $81,994 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,994 – $97,663 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,663 – $107,068 |
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 Forest
Currently, the job market in Lake Forest supports 14 licensed practical nurses, indicating a targeted yet viable employment pool in the region. Given the local cost of living, which is above the national average, this impacts take-home pay and purchasing power. Skilled nursing facilities typically offer the most competitive salaries in the area, with home health agencies and physician offices following. Factors such as shift differentials, weekend premiums, and specialization certifications like IV therapy can significantly contribute to income variations among LPNs. For those seeking to maximize their earnings in Lake Forest, obtaining additional certifications, particularly in high-demand areas like long-term care, can be a strategic advantage in navigating this employment market.
More salary data for Lake Forest, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Lake Forest, CA in 2026?
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Lake Forest?
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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 $77,572 for licensed practical nursesin the Lake Forest 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 Forest 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