LPN Salary

Los Angeles vs Norwalk: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare licensed practical nurse salaries between Los Angeles, CA and Norwalk, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Los Angeles, CA
$83,831
$40.30/hr
Norwalk, CA
$82,902
$39.86/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CANorwalk, CA
Median Salary$83,831$82,902
Hourly Rate$40.30$39.86
Entry Level (P10)$67,859$64,008
25th Percentile$78,070$73,787
75th Percentile$98,227$98,899
Top Earner (P90)$102,138$108,701
Total Employed33,59022
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($83,831) and Norwalk ($82,902) licensed practical nurse salaries.Los AngelesNorwalkMedian Salary$83,831$82,902Entry Level (P10)$67,859$64,008Top Earner (P90)$102,138$108,701US Median $68,071

Verdict

Los Angeles, CA offers better overall compensation for licensed practical nurses, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Norwalk.

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Norwalk is $929 (1.12%). Los Angeles's median is +23.15% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Los Angeles spans $34,279,Norwalk spans $44,693. Norwalk has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced licensed practical nurses.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$67,859
P25$78,070
Median$83,831
P75$98,227
P90 (Top)$102,138
Norwalk
P10 (Entry)$64,008
P25$73,787
Median$82,902
P75$98,899
P90 (Top)$108,701

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($73,817 effective) pays 0.71% more than Norwalk ($73,300 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $83,831
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $73,817
Norwalk
Nominal: $82,902
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $73,300

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,831/year)
  • Larger job market (33,590 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,817)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Norwalk if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($108,701)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in Los Angeles grew 37.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -10.4% growth in Norwalk over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+37.5%

$57,690 (2019) → $79,310 (2025)

Norwalk, CA

+-10.4%

$87,571 (2024) → $78,431 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays licensed practical nurses more: Los Angeles or Norwalk?

Los Angeles has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $83,831/year, compared to Norwalk at $82,902/year — a difference of $929 (1.12%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Los Angeles and Norwalk?

Los Angeles licensed practical nurses earn $40.30/hr while Norwalk hygienists earn $39.86/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Los Angeles to Norwalk as a licensed practical nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Norwalk. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $73,817, Norwalk = $73,300), job availability (33,590 vs 22 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level licensed practical nurses earn in Los Angeles vs Norwalk?

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $67,859 in Los Angeles and $64,008 in Norwalk. The Los Angeles area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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.

Clinically reviewed by Daniel Thompson, LPNData verified by Maria Gonzalez, LPN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.70% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov