Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Los Angeles, CA: $83,831 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Los Angeles, CA earns a median $83,831/year (≈ $40.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Los Angeles's price level (14% above national, BEA RPP 113.6), that paycheck buys what $73,817 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a 2026 median annual salary of $83,831, licensed practical nurse salaries in Los Angeles significantly exceed the national average by 23.15%, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026. The salary range for these professionals varies between $67,859 at the 10th percentile to $102,138 at the 90th percentile. Factors such as shift differentials and weekend premiums are crucial for maximizing compensation in the long-term care setting, driving effective pay beyond the base salary. As job demand surges for LPNs—particularly in skilled nursing environments—these positions are expected to exhibit a robust growth rate of 5.70% annually, reflecting the ongoing need for healthcare services in Los Angeles.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,859 | $32.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,070 | $37.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,831 | $40.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,227 | $47.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,138 | $49.11 |
Median Salary Position
23.15% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, CA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,279 (2026 est.). At $83,831, the local median is 23.15% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Los Angeles: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Los Angeles Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Los Angeles median: $83,831/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Los Angeles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $83,497 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +23.15% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Los Angeles, CA earn a median of $83,831 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.15% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 0.40% above the California state average of $83,497.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Los Angeles has a cost of living 13.57% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Los Angeles, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.566 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $83,831 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $73,817 — a 11.95% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,690
2025 BLS Actual
$79,310
2026 Current Est.
$83,831
2019–2027 Growth
+53.6%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Los Angeles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,690 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,130 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,300 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,060 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,570 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,290 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,310 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,831 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,609 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 37.5% from $57,690 (2019) to $79,310 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,609 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,919 (53.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Los Angeles 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) | $67,859 – $78,070 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,070 – $83,831 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,831 – $98,227 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,227 – $102,138 |
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 Los Angeles
The local market employs approximately 33,590 licensed practical nurses, which contributes to competitive wages but also indicates a high demand for their services. The cost of living index in Los Angeles stands at 113.566, emphasizing the importance of considering living expenses when evaluating take-home pay. Higher salaries tend to be found among skilled nursing facilities and long-term care institutions, where factors like shift differentials and certifications for IV therapy may further influence earnings. To maximize pay in this competitive landscape, LPNs should consider pursuing certification opportunities and seeking positions that offer additional premiums for weekend shifts or holidays. Understanding the nuances of local employment options can greatly enhance the licensed practical nurse pay in Los Angeles, CA.
More salary data for Los Angeles, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Los Angeles, CA in 2026?
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Los Angeles?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Los Angeles?
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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 $79,310 for licensed practical nursesin the Los Angeles 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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