Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Santa Clarita, CA: $85,327 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Santa Clarita, CA earns a median $85,327/year (≈ $41.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Santa Clarita's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $75,444 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Santa Clarita, California, the projected median salary for licensed practical nurses in 2026 is estimated at $85,327, which reflects the competitive nature of this profession in the region. The local salary range for LPNs spans from $64,934 at the 10th percentile to $117,035 at the 90th percentile, indicating that various factors influence pay. These figures have been derived from 2025 BLS Occupational Employment Statistics data, adjusted for the region's cost of living. Within California, LPNs are permitted to perform advanced tasks, including IV therapy and patient assessments, which likely contributes to the attractive compensation packages available in Santa Clarita's healthcare market.
About the Santa Clarita Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,934 | $31.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,588 | $37.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,327 | $41.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,168 | $50.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $117,035 | $56.26 |
Median Salary Position
25.35% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Clarita
In Santa Clarita, CA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,101 (2026 est.). At $85,327, the local median is 25.35% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Clarita: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Clarita Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Santa Clarita median: $85,327/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Clarita Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $83,491 | +2.20% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +25.35% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Santa Clarita, CA earn a median of $85,327 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.35% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 2.20% above the California state average of $83,491.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Clarita has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Clarita, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $85,327 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,444 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,517
2025 BLS Actual
$80,726
2026 Current Est.
$85,327
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Santa Clarita (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,517 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,196 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,256 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,467 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,872 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,134 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,726 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,327 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,191 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Clarita metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $59,517 (2019) to $80,726 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,191 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,674 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Clarita 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) | $64,934 – $77,588 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,588 – $85,327 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,327 – $104,168 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,168 – $117,035 |
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 Santa Clarita
The job market in Santa Clarita features approximately 41 licensed practical nurses, who must navigate a cost-of-living index of 113.1, highlighting the need for competitive wages to maintain purchasing power. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities generally offer the highest pay rates, whereas home health agencies and physician offices tend to be at the lower end of the spectrum. The variance in salaries can result from differences in workplace settings, with critical factors like shift differentials, IV therapy certifications, and weekend or holiday premiums greatly influencing compensation. For those seeking to maximize their earnings in this area, pursuing additional certifications, seeking positions in higher-paying settings, and being flexible with shifts can provide significant advantages in the Santa Clarita licensed practical nurse job market.
More salary data for Santa Clarita, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Santa Clarita, CA in 2026?
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Santa Clarita?
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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 $80,726 for licensed practical nursesin the Santa Clarita 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 Santa Clarita 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