Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Santa Rosa, CA: $97,857 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Santa Rosa, CA earns a median $97,857/year (≈ $47.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Santa Rosa's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.8), that paycheck buys what $90,790 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 17.2% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Santa Rosa, California, the licensed practical nurse salary in 2026 is projected to reach a median of $97,857, which represents a significant 43.76% increase compared to the national average of $68,071. The salary range for LPNs in the area spans from $78,514 at the 10th percentile to $116,587 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a competitive market that compensates for varying levels of experience and job demands. This data stems from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, analyzing the local healthcare landscape. With the growing demand for nursing professionals, especially in long-term care settings, Santa Rosa presents opportunities for LPNs to not only earn a robust salary but also benefit from shift differentials and weekend premiums that enhance overall compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,514 | $37.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,429 | $40.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,857 | $47.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105,520 | $50.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $116,587 | $56.05 |
Median Salary Position
43.76% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Rosa
In Santa Rosa, CA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,073 (2026 est.). At $97,857, the local median is 43.76% above the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in Santa Rosa: You'd be above the median
How Santa Rosa Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Santa Rosa median: $97,857/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Rosa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $83,496 | +17.20% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +43.76% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Santa Rosa, CA earn a median of $97,857 per year (2026 est.), which is 43.76% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 17.20% above the California state average of $83,496.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Rosa has a cost of living 7.78% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Rosa, CA has a cost-of-living index of 107.784 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $97,857 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $90,790 — a 7.22% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,460
2025 BLS Actual
$92,580
2026 Current Est.
$97,857
2019–2027 Growth
+55.6%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Santa Rosa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,460 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,300 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,740 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,560 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,560 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,180 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,580 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,857 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,435 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Rosa metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 39.3% from $66,460 (2019) to $92,580 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,435 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,975 (55.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Rosa 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) | $78,514 – $83,429 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,429 – $97,857 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,857 – $105,520 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $105,520 – $116,587 |
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 Rosa
Currently, there are approximately 870 licensed practical nurses employed in Santa Rosa, CA, which indicates a steady demand for healthcare professionals in the region. This local job market, however, is positioned against a cost-of-living index of 107.784, suggesting that although salaries are competitive, expenses may be relatively high. Skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the most generous compensation, followed by hospitals and home health agencies. The variation in salaries across settings can be attributed to factors such as shift differentials, weekend and holiday pay, and additional stipends for specialized skills like IV therapy. To maximize earnings, LPNs in Santa Rosa should consider positions in long-term care, which often provide higher pay scales and additional benefits, and pursue certifications that enhance their qualifications in an evolving healthcare environment.
More salary data for Santa Rosa, 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 $92,580 for licensed practical nursesin the Santa Rosa 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