Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Long Beach, CA: $84,109 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Long Beach, CA earns a median $84,109/year (≈ $40.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Long Beach's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $74,367 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses in Long Beach, California, can expect a median annual salary of $84,109, significantly higher than the national median of $68,071. This local estimate reflects not only the value of the role but also California's specific LPN scope-of-practice laws, which include authorization for tasks such as IV therapy and assessment. The salary range for this profession is projected to span from $59,382 at the 10th percentile to $117,144 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from state-level Bureau of Labor Statistics data, adjusted for regional price variations, indicating that Long Beach's job market is robust, particularly in sectors requiring advanced skills and certifications.
About the Long Beach Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,382 | $28.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,599 | $37.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,109 | $40.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,988 | $50.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $117,144 | $56.32 |
Median Salary Position
23.56% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Long Beach
In Long Beach, CA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,762 (2026 est.). At $84,109, the local median is 23.56% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Long Beach: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Long Beach Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Long Beach median: $84,109/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Long Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $83,524 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +23.56% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Long Beach, CA earn a median of $84,109 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.56% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 0.70% above the California state average of $83,524.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Long Beach has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Long Beach, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $84,109 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,367 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,667
2025 BLS Actual
$79,573
2026 Current Est.
$84,109
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Long Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,667 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,322 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,396 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,489 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,803 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,936 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,573 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,109 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,903 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Long Beach metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $58,667 (2019) to $79,573 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,903 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,236 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Long Beach 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) | $59,382 – $77,599 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,599 – $84,109 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,109 – $103,988 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,988 – $117,144 |
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 Long Beach
The local job market for licensed practical nurses in Long Beach consists of approximately 89 professionals working across various healthcare settings. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, LPNs may find their take-home pay significantly impacted by housing and daily expenses in the area. Skilled nursing facilities often offer the highest pay among employers, followed by home health agencies and hospitals, depending on the specific context and certifications held by the nurses. Factors contributing to the variance in compensation include the setting, with skilled nursing positions generally providing better pay than those in physician offices. Additionally, incentives like shift differentials, stipends for IV therapy certifications, and premiums for weekend or holiday shifts can enhance overall earnings. To maximize earnings potential in Long Beach, LPNs should consider pursuing further certifications and seek employment in high-demand settings, such as long-term care facilities that value their expanded scope of practice.
More salary data for Long Beach, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Long Beach, CA in 2026?
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Long Beach?
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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 $79,573 for licensed practical nursesin the Long Beach 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 Long Beach 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