Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Murrieta, CA: $83,340 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Murrieta, CA earns a median $83,340/year (≈ $40.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Murrieta's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $73,687 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The 2026 median annual salary for licensed practical nurses in Murrieta, California, is projected at $83,340, representing a healthy 22.43% increase over the national median of $68,071. The salary range for these professionals spans from $65,109 at the 10th percentile to $110,159 at the 90th percentile, highlighting a broad spectrum of earning potential. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, supplemented by regional price variations. The employment structure among LPNs in Murrieta often reflects a choice between skilled nursing facilities, home health settings, and outpatient clinics, influencing salary levels and job availability. With these dynamics in play, it remains critical for aspiring LPNs to align their career goals with the local market conditions, particularly in the context of increasing demand within skilled nursing environments.
About the Murrieta Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,109 | $31.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,499 | $36.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,340 | $40.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,855 | $48.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,159 | $52.97 |
Median Salary Position
22.43% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Murrieta
In Murrieta, CA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,050 (2026 est.). At $83,340, the local median is 22.43% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Murrieta: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Murrieta Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Murrieta median: $83,340/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Murrieta Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $83,507 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | +22.43% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Murrieta, CA earn a median of $83,340 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.43% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 0.20% below the California state average of $83,507.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Murrieta has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Murrieta, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $83,340 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $73,687 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,131
2025 BLS Actual
$78,846
2026 Current Est.
$83,340
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Murrieta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,131 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,771 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,853 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,872 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,128 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,035 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,846 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,340 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,091 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Murrieta metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $58,131 (2019) to $78,846 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,091 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,960 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Murrieta 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) | $65,109 – $76,499 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,499 – $83,340 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,340 – $101,855 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,855 – $110,159 |
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 Murrieta
Within Murrieta’s job market, a total of 25 licensed practical nurses are currently employed, indicating a niche, focused workforce that caters to the specific healthcare needs of the community. However, the cost of living index, sitting at 113.1, suggests that take-home pay may not stretch as far as one might hope, necessitating strategic employment choices for optimizing earnings. Among various employers, skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the most competitive licensed practical nurse pay in Murrieta, CA, followed by larger hospitals and long-term care settings. Factors affecting salary variation include the work setting, shift differentials, weekend and holiday premiums, and additional incentives for specialized certifications such as IV therapy. For those in this field, maximizing salary can involve pursuing extra credentials, engaging in continuous education, or considering shift work that offers higher hourly pay, especially during peak demand periods.
More salary data for Murrieta, 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
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 $78,846 for licensed practical nursesin the Murrieta 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 Murrieta 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