Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Lakewood, CA: $81,392 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Lakewood, CA earns a median $81,392/year (≈ $39.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Lakewood's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $71,965 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lakewood, CA, the projected licensed practical nurse salary in 2026 is a notable $81,392, which reflects a 19.57% increase compared to the national median of $68,071 for that year. Licensed practical nurses can expect to earn between $64,390 at the low end (P10) to $105,098 at the high end (P90), emphasizing a competitive pay scale that varies significantly based on the work environment. Factors such as whether they are employed in skilled nursing facilities or home health agencies can heavily influence earnings, as different settings provide distinct compensation structures. This local estimate draws from state-level BLS data and regional cost adjustments, enhancing its relevance in understanding the job market for nurses in Lakewood.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,390 | $30.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,321 | $35.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,392 | $39.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,236 | $46.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,098 | $50.52 |
Median Salary Position
19.57% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakewood
In Lakewood, CA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,708 (2026 est.). At $81,392, the local median is 19.57% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lakewood Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Lakewood median: $81,392/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $83,479 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | +19.57% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Lakewood, CA earn a median of $81,392 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.57% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 2.50% below the California state average of $83,479.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakewood has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lakewood, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $81,392 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,965 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,772
2025 BLS Actual
$77,003
2026 Current Est.
$81,392
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,772 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,374 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,477 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,309 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,419 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,977 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,003 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,392 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,032 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakewood metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $56,772 (2019) to $77,003 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,032 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,260 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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) | $64,390 – $73,321 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,321 – $81,392 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,392 – $96,236 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,236 – $105,098 |
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 Lakewood
Within Lakewood's job market, there are currently 19 licensed practical nurses employed. However, the overall cost of living, with an index of 113.1, suggests that living expenses are higher than the national average, which can impact an LPN's take-home pay. Employers that typically offer the best salaries include skilled nursing facilities and some hospital systems, while home health agencies and physician offices may pay less on average. The spread between low and high salaries can be attributed to factors such as shift differentials, IV therapy certification stipends, and weekend or holiday pay premiums that are more common in long-term care settings. To maximize earning potential in the Lakewood market, LPNs should consider obtaining additional certifications, seeking shifts with higher pay, and targeting healthcare settings that prioritize skilled nursing care over home health roles.
More salary data for Lakewood, 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 $77,003 for licensed practical nursesin the Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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