Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Sacramento, CA: $41.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Sacramento, CA runs $41.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $86,219 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Sacramento's regional price level (BEA RPP 106.7, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $38.86 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $51,737 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sacramento, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay stands at a median of $41.46, significantly surpassing the national median hourly rate of $32.73. This robust rate provides a promising outlook for part-time and per-diem workers, who often find employment in various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and correctional facilities. For those typically working three days a week, LPNs can tap into a wide hourly range, earning from $33.37 at entry-level positions to an impressive $53.29 at the top end of the scale. This data is derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics, underscoring the potential for lucrative earnings for LPNs in Sacramento compared to other states within the country.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.37 | $266.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.94 | $311.52 |
| Median (P50) | $41.46 | $331.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.96 | $391.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.29 | $426.35 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sacramento
Based on $41.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.46/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sacramento, CA can expect to earn approximately $86,228 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $49,747. With a cost-of-living index of 106.67 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Sacramento.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sacramento
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,658.22 | $7,186 | $86,228 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $994.93 | $4,311 | $51,737 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $663.29 | $2,874 | $34,491 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Sacramento) | $41.46 |
| 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 Sacramento, CA earn a median of $86,219 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.66% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 3.20% above the California state average of $83,546.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.46/hr = $51,737/year (purchasing power: $48,501).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $86,228/year (purchasing power: $80,836).
CoL index: 106.67 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.28/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.22/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+54.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Sacramento (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.28/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.89/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.98/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.15/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.20/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.22/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.82/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Sacramento grew 38.7% from $28.28/hr (2019) to $39.22/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.82/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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento
For part-time licensed practical nurses working 24 hours a week, annual earnings could range above $50,000, depending on the individual schedule and specific roles undertaken. In per diem arrangements, licensed practical nurses can expect to see hourly rates varying from $28 to $42. However, agency LPNs at facilities in need of staffing may bill between $45 and $60 per hour. The earnings can vary considerably across employer types; for instance, LPNs in skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities tend to earn different hourly rates compared to those in hospitals or primary care physician offices. While some may choose roles with lower hourly rates for the benefits that come with employment, others may prefer the flexibility of higher hourly pay without health insurance. Those looking to enhance their compensation package should approach negotiations with an understanding of their worth in the local market, especially considering the steady growth rate of 5.70% anticipated in this profession over the coming years.
More salary data for Sacramento, 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
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 Sacramento. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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