Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Santa Maria, CA: $83,514 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Santa Maria, CA earns a median $83,514/year (≈ $40.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Santa Maria's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.8), that paycheck buys what $76,761 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projection of $83,514 for the median annual licensed practical nurse salary in Santa Maria, California, this figure is notably higher than the national median of $68,071, illustrating the competitive nature of healthcare compensation in the region. The salary range spans from $69,138 at the 10th percentile to $101,102 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant variability based on experience and work setting. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics and projected to 2026, reflects not only the local demand for skilled nursing but also the financial benefits that come with positions offering shift differentials and weekend premiums. As Santa Maria continues to grow, the demand for licensed practical nurses is expected to remain robust.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,138 | $33.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,871 | $38.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,514 | $40.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,348 | $42.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,102 | $48.61 |
Median Salary Position
22.69% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Maria
In Santa Maria, CA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,964 (2026 est.). At $83,514, the local median is 22.69% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Maria: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Maria Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Santa Maria median: $83,514/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Maria Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $68,071 | +22.69% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Santa Maria, CA earn a median of $83,514 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.69% higher than the national median of $68,071.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Maria has a cost of living 8.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Maria, CA has a cost-of-living index of 108.798 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $83,514 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,761 — a 8.09% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,580
2025 BLS Actual
$79,010
2026 Current Est.
$83,514
2019–2027 Growth
+48.2%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Santa Maria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,580 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,310 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,780 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,020 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,070 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,640 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,010 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,514 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,274 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Maria metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 32.6% from $59,580 (2019) to $79,010 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,274 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,694 (48.16%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Maria 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) | $69,138 – $80,871 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,871 – $83,514 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,514 – $89,348 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,348 – $101,102 |
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 Maria
In Santa Maria, approximately 650 licensed practical nurses are currently employed, providing a solid framework for job opportunities in this profession. The local cost-of-living index, at 108.798, suggests that while salaries are competitive, the costs associated with living in the area may influence purchasing power. Skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest wages compared to other employers, such as home health agencies or physician offices. In particular, factors like shift differentials, IV therapy certification stipends, and additional pay for weekend or holiday shifts contribute to the higher end of the salary spectrum. To maximize earnings potential, LPNs in Santa Maria should consider pursuing roles in long-term care, leveraging opportunities for overtime, and seeking certifications that enhance skillsets relevant to their desired employment settings. The growth rate for this occupation, projected at 5.70% annually, signifies a stable and promising future for LPNs in the region.
More salary data for Santa Maria, 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 $79,010 for licensed practical nursesin the Santa Maria 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