Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Merced, CA: $80,216 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Merced, CA earns a median $80,216/year (≈ $38.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Merced's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.3), that paycheck buys what $81,624 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses in Merced, California, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $80,216, well above the national figure of $68,071. This competitive salary range runs from $65,365 at the 10th percentile to $87,942 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varied responsibilities and experience levels within the profession. The scope of practice for licensed practical nurses in California includes critical areas such as IV therapy and patient assessment, which can significantly influence compensation structures. This data, derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, indicates a robust job market for LPNs in Merced, an area where healthcare facilities increasingly value these skill sets.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,365 | $31.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,219 | $32.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,216 | $38.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,795 | $39.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,942 | $42.28 |
Median Salary Position
17.84% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Merced
In Merced, CA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,577 (2026 est.). At $80,216, the local median is 17.84% above the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in Merced: You'd be above the median
How Merced Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Merced median: $80,216/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Merced Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $83,471 | -3.90% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | +17.84% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Merced, CA earn a median of $80,216 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.84% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 3.90% below the California state average of $83,471.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Merced has a cost of living 1.72% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Merced, CA has a cost-of-living index of 98.275 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $80,216 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $81,624 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,420
2025 BLS Actual
$75,890
2026 Current Est.
$80,216
2019–2027 Growth
+71.6%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Merced (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,420 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,160 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,770 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,540 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,430 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,890 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,216 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,788 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Merced metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 53.6% from $49,420 (2019) to $75,890 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,788 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,368 (71.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Merced 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) | $65,365 – $68,219 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,219 – $80,216 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,216 – $82,795 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,795 – $87,942 |
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 Merced
In Merced, approximately 300 licensed practical nurses are contributing to the local healthcare system, an essential workforce in a region where the cost of living index stands at 98.275. This index indicates a slightly lower living expense compared to the national average, enhancing the purchasing power of LPNs' salaries in the area. Among the various employment settings, skilled nursing facilities generally offer the highest compensation, followed closely by hospitals and home health agencies. Factors such as shift differentials, weekend premiums, and IV therapy certification stipends create a pay spread, with opportunities for nurses to maximize their earning potential. Those aiming to increase their licensed practical nurse pay in Merced CA should consider pursuing specialized certifications or seeking positions in settings that offer higher wages. This targeted approach can lead to a more favorable financial outcome in an evolving job market.
More salary data for Merced, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Merced, CA in 2026?
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Merced?
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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 $75,890 for licensed practical nursesin the Merced 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