Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in San Francisco, CA: $99,686 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in San Francisco, CA earns a median $99,686/year (≈ $47.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in San Francisco's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.6), that paycheck buys what $86,224 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 19.4% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses in San Francisco, California, can expect a median annual salary of $99,686, significantly above the national median of $68,071. The salary for LPNs in this area ranges from $80,226 at the 10th percentile to $115,340 at the 90th percentile, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. This favorable compensation is influenced by California's LPN scope-of-practice rules that permit procedures such as IV therapy and patient assessments, enhancing the role's perceived value in healthcare settings. Given the demand for skilled nursing within the booming healthcare sector of San Francisco, the job market for licensed practical nurses remains robust, reflecting both competitive salaries and increased opportunities for employment.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,226 | $38.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,304 | $41.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,686 | $47.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $110,044 | $52.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $115,340 | $55.45 |
Median Salary Position
46.44% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Francisco
In San Francisco, CA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,114 (2026 est.). At $99,686, the local median is 46.44% above the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in San Francisco: You'd be above the median
How San Francisco Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
San Francisco median: $99,686/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Francisco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $83,489 | +19.40% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +46.44% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in San Francisco, CA earn a median of $99,686 per year (2026 est.), which is 46.44% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 19.40% above the California state average of $83,489.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Francisco has a cost of living 15.61% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Francisco, CA has a cost-of-living index of 115.613 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $99,686 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $86,224 — a 13.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,520
2025 BLS Actual
$94,310
2026 Current Est.
$99,686
2019–2027 Growth
+56.1%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in San Francisco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,520 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,600 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,680 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,600 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,810 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,310 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,686 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,368 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Francisco metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 39.7% from $67,520 (2019) to $94,310 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,368 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,848 (56.05%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Francisco 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) | $80,226 – $86,304 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,304 – $99,686 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,686 – $110,044 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $110,044 – $115,340 |
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 Francisco
In San Francisco, approximately 8,800 licensed practical nurses are currently employed, catering to a diverse array of healthcare settings, including skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and hospitals. The local cost of living index stands at 115.613, indicating that while salaries are higher, so too are living expenses. Skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest pay for LPNs, often driven by the need for specialized skills and the complexity of care required. The variation in pay largely depends on factors such as work setting, shift differentials, and additional certifications like IV therapy. To maximize earnings, aspiring LPNs can focus on obtaining certifications that enhance their qualifications and consider positions in long-term care or acute settings that provide weekend and holiday premiums. Understanding these dynamics will equip nurses to navigate their careers effectively in the competitive San Francisco healthcare job market.
More salary data for San Francisco, 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 $94,310 for licensed practical nursesin the San Francisco 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