Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in San Diego, CA: $84,264 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in San Diego, CA earns a median $84,264/year (≈ $40.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in San Diego's price level (12% above national, BEA RPP 111.9), that paycheck buys what $75,312 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In San Diego, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are anticipated to earn a median annual salary of $84,264 in 2026, reflecting a robust increase compared to national figures, which are significantly lower at $68,071. The salary range for LPNs here is projected between $68,652 and $101,884, which provides a wide spectrum of earning potential for those navigating various healthcare settings. This compensation structure is influenced by California’s scope-of-practice rules, allowing LPNs to perform advanced tasks such as IV therapy and patient assessment, which can enhance their earning capabilities. The local job market is expected to grow, providing LPNs with ample opportunities in diverse environments, including nursing homes and clinics, especially as the demand for skilled healthcare workers continues to rise in San Diego.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,652 | $33.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,740 | $38.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,264 | $40.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,115 | $45.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,884 | $48.98 |
Median Salary Position
23.79% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Diego
In San Diego, CA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,232 (2026 est.). At $84,264, the local median is 23.79% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Diego: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Diego Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
San Diego median: $84,264/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Diego Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $83,512 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +23.79% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in San Diego, CA earn a median of $84,264 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.79% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 0.90% above the California state average of $83,512.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Diego has a cost of living 11.89% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Diego, CA has a cost-of-living index of 111.887 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $84,264 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,312 — a 10.62% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,830
2025 BLS Actual
$79,720
2026 Current Est.
$84,264
2019–2027 Growth
+44.1%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in San Diego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,830 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,130 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,680 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,560 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,270 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,280 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,720 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,264 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,067 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Diego metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 28.9% from $61,830 (2019) to $79,720 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,067 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,237 (44.05%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Diego 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) | $68,652 – $79,740 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,740 – $84,264 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,264 – $94,115 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,115 – $101,884 |
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 San Diego
San Diego's job market for licensed practical nurses is notably strong, with approximately 6,610 LPNs currently employed in the area. However, the cost of living is relatively high, with a cost-of-living index of 111.887, which may impact the overall purchasing power of these salaries. Employers that pay the most are often skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, where higher wages can be supplemented by shift differentials, charge pay, and weekend/holiday premiums. The variation in pay often arises from the specific healthcare setting; for instance, skilled nursing roles generally offer higher compensation than positions in home health or physician offices. To maximize salary potential in San Diego, LPNs should consider obtaining certifications such as IV therapy and seek positions in settings that provide lucrative stipends or bonuses for specialized skills, which can substantially enhance their practical nurse pay in San Diego, CA.
More salary data for San Diego, 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 $79,720 for licensed practical nursesin the San Diego 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
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