Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Milpitas, CA: $81,048 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Milpitas, CA earns a median $81,048/year (≈ $38.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Milpitas's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $71,660 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurse salaries in Milpitas, California, are projected to be competitive, with a median annual compensation of $81,048. This figure exceeds the national median salary for licensed practical nurses, set at $68,071, highlighting Milpitas's more robust compensation landscape for this occupation. The salary range for LPNs here shows a spectrum from $63,579 at the lower ten percentile to $106,727 at the upper ninety percentile, driven in part by factors like shift differentials and weekend premiums, which are prevalent in long-term care settings. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price parities indicate a strong job market that supports better pay for practical nursing roles compared to many other areas.
About the Milpitas Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,579 | $30.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,380 | $35.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,048 | $38.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,322 | $46.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,727 | $51.31 |
Median Salary Position
19.06% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Milpitas
In Milpitas, CA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,148 (2026 est.). At $81,048, the local median is 19.06% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Milpitas: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Milpitas Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Milpitas median: $81,048/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Milpitas Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $83,554 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | +19.06% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Milpitas, CA earn a median of $81,048 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.06% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 3.00% below the California state average of $83,554.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Milpitas has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Milpitas, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $81,048 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,660 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,531
2025 BLS Actual
$76,677
2026 Current Est.
$81,048
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Milpitas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,531 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,127 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,234 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,033 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,117 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,614 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,677 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,048 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,667 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Milpitas metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $56,531 (2019) to $76,677 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,667 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,136 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Milpitas 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) | $63,579 – $74,380 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,380 – $81,048 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,048 – $97,322 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,322 – $106,727 |
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 Milpitas
While the overall job strength in Milpitas reflects the employment of just 16 licensed practical nurses, the local cost of living index, at 113.1, positions the area slightly above the national average, impacting purchasing power. Skilled nursing facilities often lead in pay among employers, followed by home health agencies and hospitals. The divergence in compensation is influenced by factors such as setting, with skilled nursing typically offering higher salaries, along with added incentives for IV therapy certification, charge LPN roles, and weekend or holiday shifts. To maximize pay within this market, prospective LPNs should consider seeking positions in high-demand areas like long-term care and pursuing specialized certifications, thereby enhancing their qualifications and potential salary trajectory.
More salary data for Milpitas, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Milpitas, CA in 2026?
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Milpitas?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Milpitas?
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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 $76,677 for licensed practical nursesin the Milpitas 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
Salary data for Milpitas 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