Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Carson, CA: $39.35 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Carson, CA runs $39.35 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,849 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Carson's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $34.79 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,111 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Carson, California, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) earn a median hourly rate of $39.35, significantly higher than the national median of $32.73. This attractive hourly figure is advantageous for part-time practitioners working typically three days a week, allowing for flexible schedules that can fit well into personal lives while still providing a robust income. For per-diem workers, often found in skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and hospice care, earning can range notably across different settings. In Carson, hourly rates span from $31.48 at the entry level to about $52.68 for top earners, illustrating the wide disparity based on experience and the specific demands of the work environment. These figures are estimated from annual salary data, reflecting the competitive landscape for LPNs in the region.
About the Carson Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.48 | $251.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.57 | $292.58 |
| Median (P50) | $39.35 | $314.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.29 | $362.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.68 | $421.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Carson
Based on $39.35/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.35/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Carson, CA can expect to earn approximately $81,852 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,223. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Carson.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Carson
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,574.08 | $6,821 | $81,852 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $944.45 | $4,093 | $49,111 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $629.63 | $2,728 | $32,741 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Carson) | $39.35 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Carson, CA earn a median of $81,849 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.24% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 2.00% below the California state average of $83,519.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.35/hr = $49,111/year (purchasing power: $43,423).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,852/year (purchasing power: $72,372).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$27.45/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.23/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.35/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Carson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.45/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.22/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.79/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.58/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.53/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.23/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.35/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.60/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Carson grew 35.6% from $27.45/hr (2019) to $37.23/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.60/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem licensed practical nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Carson 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.
Working as an Hourly Licensed Practical Nurse in Carson
Part-time licensed practical nurses putting in a 24-hour week could potentially bring in around $51,000 annually, while full-time counterparts could earn substantially more. In contrast, per diem LPNs in Carson notice variability in their compensation; those working directly for healthcare facilities can expect to bill anywhere from $28 to $42 per hour, while agency positions might offer rates between $45 and $60 per hour at understaffed locations. Compensation varies as well across employer types, with skilled nursing facilities often providing the most stable environments, whereas hospitals are shifting towards more RN-dependent staffing models. Consequently, some LPNs may choose roles with lower hourly pay that come with health benefits, balancing out the trade-offs for job security. Moreover, hourly negotiations in Carson can be influenced by local market demand, so being equipped with knowledge, like understanding the average rates, can empower LPNs to advocate effectively for themselves.
More salary data for Carson, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Carson in 2026?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for licensed practical nurses in Carson. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Carson 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