Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in San Clemente, CA: $83,052 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in San Clemente, CA earns a median $83,052/year (≈ $39.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in San Clemente's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $73,432 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In San Clemente, California, the projected median annual salary for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in 2026 stands at $83,052, significantly higher than the national median of $68,071. Salaries in this coastal city range from $61,642 at the 10th percentile to $110,363 at the 90th percentile, reflecting both the demand for skilled personnel and the local cost of living. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional economic conditions, point to various employment settings where LPNs may work, such as skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and outpatient clinics. Given the competitive salaries, particularly in skilled nursing environments, job seekers in San Clemente can look forward to opportunities that align well with the increasing demand for practical nursing professionals.
About the San Clemente Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,642 | $29.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,817 | $36.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,052 | $39.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,263 | $48.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,363 | $53.06 |
Median Salary Position
22.01% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Clemente
In San Clemente, CA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,721 (2026 est.). At $83,052, the local median is 22.01% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Clemente: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Clemente Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
San Clemente median: $83,052/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Clemente Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $83,553 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | +22.01% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in San Clemente, CA earn a median of $83,052 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.01% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 0.60% below the California state average of $83,553.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Clemente has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Clemente, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $83,052 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $73,432 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,929
2025 BLS Actual
$78,573
2026 Current Est.
$83,052
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in San Clemente (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,929 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,564 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,649 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,641 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,875 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,731 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,573 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,052 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,786 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Clemente metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $57,929 (2019) to $78,573 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,786 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,857 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Clemente 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) | $61,642 – $76,817 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,817 – $83,052 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,052 – $100,263 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,263 – $110,363 |
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 San Clemente
Analyzing the local job market reveals that there are only 10 licensed practical nurses currently employed in San Clemente, indicating a niche but potentially lucrative employment environment. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the economic landscape can impact take-home pay, making the search for competitive salaries even more critical. Skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the highest compensation, as they often require extensive practical nursing expertise and certifications such as IV therapy. Moreover, the pay disparity among LPNs is largely driven by factors such as shift differentials, weekend or holiday premiums, and the setting of employment. To maximize earnings in this market, LPNs should consider further certifications and actively seek positions in skilled nursing or long-term care facilities, where the potential for higher compensation is more pronounced.
More salary data for San Clemente, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in San Clemente, CA in 2026?
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in San Clemente?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in San Clemente?
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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 $78,573 for licensed practical nursesin the San Clemente 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 San Clemente 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