Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in San Leandro, CA: $82,087 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in San Leandro, CA earns a median $82,087/year (≈ $39.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in San Leandro's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $72,579 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses in San Leandro, CA, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $82,087, which is significantly higher than the national median of $68,071. This enhanced compensation reflects California's higher cost of living and the state's specific LPN scope-of-practice regulations, which include IV therapy and patient assessment duties. The salary range for licensed practical nurses in San Leandro varies, with the lowest earners (P10) making approximately $65,959, while the top earners (P90) can earn up to $110,158 annually. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions, illustrating a robust job market in this sector.
About the San Leandro Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,959 | $31.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,571 | $36.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,087 | $39.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,818 | $45.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,158 | $52.96 |
Median Salary Position
20.59% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Leandro
In San Leandro, CA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,199 (2026 est.). At $82,087, the local median is 20.59% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Leandro: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Leandro Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
San Leandro median: $82,087/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Leandro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $83,506 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | +20.59% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in San Leandro, CA earn a median of $82,087 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.59% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 1.70% below the California state average of $83,506.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Leandro has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Leandro, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $82,087 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,579 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,256
2025 BLS Actual
$77,660
2026 Current Est.
$82,087
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in San Leandro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,256 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,872 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,968 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,866 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,028 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,710 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,660 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,087 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,766 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Leandro metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $57,256 (2019) to $77,660 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,766 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,510 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Leandro 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) | $65,959 – $76,571 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,571 – $82,087 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,087 – $94,818 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,818 – $110,158 |
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 Leandro
Currently, there are 23 licensed practical nurses employing their skills within San Leandro, indicating a relatively small but stable market. The local cost-of-living index stands at 113.1, suggesting that while salaries for licensed practical nurse pay in San Leandro CA are competitive, the purchasing power may be affected by higher living expenses. Employers that tend to offer the most competitive wages include skilled nursing facilities and certain hospitals, where LPNs may receive additional compensation for specialized skills, such as IV therapy certification. Differences in pay can arise from factors like the work setting—skilled nursing generally offers more than home health—and shift differentials or premiums for holiday and weekend shifts. For those looking to maximize their salaries in this job market, pursuing additional certifications and trying to secure positions in higher-paying settings such as long-term care could prove beneficial.
More salary data for San Leandro, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in San Leandro?
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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 $77,660 for licensed practical nursesin the San Leandro 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 Leandro 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