LPN Salary

Moreno Valley vs San Francisco: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare licensed practical nurse salaries between Moreno Valley, CA and San Francisco, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Moreno Valley, CA
$84,288
$40.53/hr
San Francisco, CA
$99,686
$47.92/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMoreno Valley, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$84,288$99,686
Hourly Rate$40.53$47.92
Entry Level (P10)$62,920$80,226
25th Percentile$75,451$86,304
75th Percentile$103,538$110,044
Top Earner (P90)$113,472$115,340
Total Employed538,800
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Moreno Valley ($84,288) and San Francisco ($99,686) licensed practical nurse salaries.Moreno ValleySan FranciscoMedian Salary$84,288$99,686Entry Level (P10)$62,920$80,226Top Earner (P90)$113,472$115,340US Median $68,071

Verdict

San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for licensed practical nurses, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Moreno Valley.

The salary gap between Moreno Valley and San Francisco is $15,398 (18.27%). San Francisco's median is +46.44% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Moreno Valley spans $50,552,San Francisco spans $35,114. Moreno Valley has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Moreno Valley
P10 (Entry)$62,920
P25$75,451
Median$84,288
P75$103,538
P90 (Top)$113,472
San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$80,226
P25$86,304
Median$99,686
P75$110,044
P90 (Top)$115,340

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($86,224 effective) pays 15.70% more than Moreno Valley ($74,525 effective).

Moreno Valley
Nominal: $84,288
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $74,525
San Francisco
Nominal: $99,686
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $86,224

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Moreno Valley if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($99,686/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($115,340)
  • Larger job market (8,800 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $86,224)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in Moreno Valley grew -10.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 39.7% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Moreno Valley, CA

+-10.4%

$89,036 (2024) → $79,743 (2025)

San Francisco, CA

+39.7%

$67,520 (2019) → $94,310 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays licensed practical nurses more: Moreno Valley or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $99,686/year, compared to Moreno Valley at $84,288/year — a difference of $15,398 (18.27%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Moreno Valley and San Francisco?

Moreno Valley licensed practical nurses earn $40.53/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $47.92/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Moreno Valley to San Francisco as a licensed practical nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Moreno Valley and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Moreno Valley = $74,525, San Francisco = $86,224), job availability (53 vs 8,800 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level licensed practical nurses earn in Moreno Valley vs San Francisco?

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $62,920 in Moreno Valley and $80,226 in San Francisco. The San Francisco 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