Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Palmdale, CA: $82,982 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Palmdale, CA earns a median $82,982/year (≈ $39.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Palmdale's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $73,370 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Palmdale, California, licensed practical nurses can expect a median annual salary of $82,982 in 2026. This figure is notably higher than the national median of $68,071, representing a significant 21.91% increase and emphasizing the competitive nature of local healthcare pay. Salaries in the city range from $64,194 at the low end (P10) to $112,056 at the high end (P90), highlighting a diversity of compensation across different settings and roles. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost of living, reflect the structural distinction in LPN roles—skilled nursing facilities typically offer higher pay compared to home health agencies or physician offices. As the demand for skilled nursing care continues to rise, job opportunities for LPNs in Palmdale are on the upswing.
About the Palmdale Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,194 | $30.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,752 | $36.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,982 | $39.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,926 | $48.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,056 | $53.88 |
Median Salary Position
21.91% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Palmdale
In Palmdale, CA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,862 (2026 est.). At $82,982, the local median is 21.91% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Palmdale: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Palmdale Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Palmdale median: $82,982/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Palmdale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $83,483 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | +21.91% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Palmdale, CA earn a median of $82,982 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.91% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 0.60% below the California state average of $83,483.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Palmdale has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Palmdale, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $82,982 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $73,370 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,881
2025 BLS Actual
$78,507
2026 Current Est.
$82,982
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Palmdale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,881 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,514 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,600 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,585 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,814 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,657 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,507 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,982 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,712 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Palmdale metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $57,881 (2019) to $78,507 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,712 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,831 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Palmdale 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) | $64,194 – $75,752 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,752 – $82,982 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,982 – $100,926 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,926 – $112,056 |
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 Palmdale
With only 29 licensed practical nurses currently employed in the region, Palmdale's job market for LPNs shows vitality despite the compact workforce. The local cost of living index stands at 113.1, which indicates that while salaries may be attractive, the purchasing power must be considered against a slightly elevated cost of living. Skilled nursing facilities tend to pay the most, followed by hospitals and assisted living communities, while home health agencies and physician offices usually offer lower salaries. Factors such as shift differentials, IV therapy certifications, and holiday premiums play a crucial role in the salary range. To maximize pay, prospective LPNs in Palmdale should consider pursuing further certification, such as IV therapy training, and seek positions in high-demand healthcare settings. Understanding the nuances of local hiring trends will ultimately help aspiring nurses leverage the best financial opportunities available in the area.
More salary data for Palmdale, 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 $78,507 for licensed practical nursesin the Palmdale 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 Palmdale 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