Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Sacramento, CA: $86,219 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Sacramento, CA earns a median $86,219/year (≈ $41.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Sacramento's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 106.7), that paycheck buys what $80,828 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, Sacramento's licensed practical nurse salary stands at a median of $86,219, significantly higher than the national average of $68,071, reflecting a 26.66% increase. The salary range in the region spans from $69,413 at the 10th percentile to $110,858 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reveal the competitive nature of the nursing sector in the area, shaped by the variety of healthcare settings. Skilled nursing facilities typically offer higher compensation compared to home health services or physician offices, underscoring the influence that work environment has on pay in Sacramento's diverse healthcare landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,413 | $33.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,998 | $38.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,219 | $41.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,831 | $48.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,858 | $53.29 |
Median Salary Position
26.66% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sacramento
In Sacramento, CA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,445 (2026 est.). At $86,219, the local median is 26.66% above the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in Sacramento: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sacramento Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Sacramento median: $86,219/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sacramento Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $83,546 | +3.20% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +26.66% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Sacramento, CA earn a median of $86,219 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.66% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 3.20% above the California state average of $83,546.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sacramento has a cost of living 6.67% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sacramento, CA has a cost-of-living index of 106.67 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $86,219 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $80,828 — a 6.25% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,830
2025 BLS Actual
$81,570
2026 Current Est.
$86,219
2019–2027 Growth
+54.9%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Sacramento (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,830 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,830 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,160 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,520 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,270 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,460 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,570 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,219 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,134 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sacramento metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 38.7% from $58,830 (2019) to $81,570 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,134 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,304 (54.91%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sacramento 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) | $69,413 – $80,998 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,998 – $86,219 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,219 – $101,831 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,831 – $110,858 |
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 Sacramento
The local job market for licensed practical nurses in Sacramento is robust, with approximately 4,760 LPNs currently employed in various healthcare settings. The cost of living index in the city is moderate at 106.67, indicating that while salaries are competitive, the purchasing power for residents may be slightly affected by higher expenses. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and some hospitals tend to pay the highest salaries, particularly for LPNs who have specialized skills such as IV therapy or who work in challenging shifts. Factors like charge LPN roles, weekend or holiday shifts, and a growing demand for flexibility in staffing contribute to the variation in earnings. For LPNs aiming to enhance their compensation in Sacramento, pursuing shift differentials, certifications, and exploring positions in high-demand facilities can effectively maximize their earning potential.
More salary data for Sacramento, 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 $81,570 for licensed practical nursesin the Sacramento 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