Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in San Jose, CA: $100,753 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in San Jose, CA earns a median $100,753/year (≈ $48.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in San Jose's price level (10% above national, BEA RPP 110.4), that paycheck buys what $91,243 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 20.6% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses in San Jose, California, can expect a median annual salary of $100,753, a significant figure that highlights the city's competitive compensation compared to the national median of $68,071. This salary reflects a broad range of earnings, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $81,727 and more experienced practitioners potentially earning up to $119,674. These insights come from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, emphasizing the lucrative opportunities available for LPNs in the area. Factors such as shift differentials and weekend premiums play a crucial role in driving higher compensation, particularly in long-term care settings where LPNs are essential for providing quality patient services.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,727 | $39.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,788 | $42.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,753 | $48.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106,704 | $51.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $119,674 | $57.54 |
Median Salary Position
48.01% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Jose
In San Jose, CA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,947 (2026 est.). At $100,753, the local median is 48.01% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Jose: You'd be above the median
How San Jose Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
San Jose median: $100,753/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Jose Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $83,543 | +20.60% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +48.01% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in San Jose, CA earn a median of $100,753 per year (2026 est.), which is 48.01% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 20.60% above the California state average of $83,543.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Jose has a cost of living 10.42% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Jose, CA has a cost-of-living index of 110.423 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $100,753 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $91,243 — a 9.44% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,710
2025 BLS Actual
$95,320
2026 Current Est.
$100,753
2019–2027 Growth
+62.1%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in San Jose (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,710 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,300 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,260 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,150 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,500 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,840 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,320 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,753 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,496 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Jose metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 45.1% from $65,710 (2019) to $95,320 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,496 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,786 (62.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Jose 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) | $81,727 – $88,788 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,788 – $100,753 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,753 – $106,704 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $106,704 – $119,674 |
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 Jose
With around 3,290 licensed practical nurses currently employed in San Jose, the job market for LPNs remains strong, bolstered by the city's growing healthcare sector. However, the cost of living presents challenges, with a cost-of-living index of 110.423 indicating that daily expenses are relatively higher than the national average. Skilled nursing facilities and long-term care organizations tend to offer the highest pay among local employers, followed closely by some hospitals and home health agencies. This distribution reflects variations in scope of practice and responsibilities across different settings; those managing IV therapy and working in charge roles often command premium wages. To maximize their pay, LPNs in San Jose should consider advancing their skills through certifications and pursuing opportunities in higher-paying environments, such as long-term care facilities, where weekend and holiday shifts further enhance earning potential.
More salary data for San Jose, 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 $95,320 for licensed practical nursesin the San Jose 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