Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Santa Monica, CA: $84,408 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Santa Monica, CA earns a median $84,408/year (≈ $40.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Santa Monica's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $74,631 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurse salaries in Santa Monica, CA are projected to reach a median annual figure of $84,408, which is notably higher than the national median of $68,071. The salary range for LPNs in the area spans from $64,864 at the 10th percentile to $106,493 at the 90th percentile, reflecting diverse roles and shifts within the profession. Licensed practical nurses in Santa Monica typically find employment in various settings, including skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and hospitals, with compensation differing significantly based on the work environment. Influenced by local cost adjustments and projected demands, these figures are crucial for prospective LPNs considering their career paths in this competitive city.
About the Santa Monica Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,864 | $31.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,516 | $36.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,408 | $40.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,497 | $47.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,493 | $51.20 |
Median Salary Position
24.00% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Monica
In Santa Monica, CA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,629 (2026 est.). At $84,408, the local median is 24% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Monica: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Monica Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Santa Monica median: $84,408/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Monica Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $83,489 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +24.00% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Santa Monica, CA earn a median of $84,408 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.00% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 1.10% above the California state average of $83,489.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Monica has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Monica, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $84,408 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,631 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,875
2025 BLS Actual
$79,856
2026 Current Est.
$84,408
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Santa Monica (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,875 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,537 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,607 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,729 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,065 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,163 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,856 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,408 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,219 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Monica metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $58,875 (2019) to $79,856 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,219 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,344 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Monica 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) | $64,864 – $76,516 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,516 – $84,408 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,408 – $98,497 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,497 – $106,493 |
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 Santa Monica
As of now, there are about 20 licensed practical nurses actively employed in Santa Monica, emphasizing a modest, yet stable job market amid a relatively high cost of living index of 113.1. This index means that practical nursing salaries here must contend with increased living expenses, impacting overall purchasing power. While skilled nursing facilities generally offer higher wages, home health agencies and physician offices follow, often providing less competitive compensation. Factors that drive the wage disparity include shift differentials, premiums for weekends or holidays, and the value of specialized certifications such as IV therapy. To maximize earnings, prospective LPNs should target skilled nursing roles, actively seek positions that pay for additional certifications, and consider shift work that may come with financial incentives, ultimately enhancing their licensed practical nurse pay in Santa Monica, CA.
More salary data for Santa Monica, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Santa Monica, CA in 2026?
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Santa Monica?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Santa Monica?
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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 $79,856 for licensed practical nursesin the Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica 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