Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Torrance, CA: $84,946 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Torrance, CA earns a median $84,946/year (≈ $40.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Torrance's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $75,107 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the licensed practical nurse salary in Torrance, California, is anticipated to reach a median of $84,946. This figure significantly surpasses the national median of $68,071, indicating a robust local market for practical nursing. The salary range for LPNs in this area is notably broad, with projections ranging from $61,897 at the lower 10th percentile to $115,804 at the 90th percentile. Local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost-of-living factors, reflect the unique structure of the nursing workforce here. Variances in pay often hinge on employment settings, with skilled nursing facilities typically offering higher compensation than home health agencies and clinic-based roles.
About the Torrance Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,897 | $29.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,848 | $35.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,946 | $40.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,767 | $49.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $115,804 | $55.67 |
Median Salary Position
24.79% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Torrance
In Torrance, CA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,907 (2026 est.). At $84,946, the local median is 24.79% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Torrance: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Torrance Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Torrance median: $84,946/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Torrance Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $83,526 | +1.70% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +24.79% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Torrance, CA earn a median of $84,946 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.79% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 1.70% above the California state average of $83,526.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Torrance has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Torrance, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $84,946 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,107 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,250
2025 BLS Actual
$80,365
2026 Current Est.
$84,946
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Torrance (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,250 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,923 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,987 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,161 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,537 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,731 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,365 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,946 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,788 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Torrance metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $59,250 (2019) to $80,365 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,788 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,538 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Torrance 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) | $61,897 – $74,848 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,848 – $84,946 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,946 – $103,767 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,767 – $115,804 |
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 Torrance
Analyzing the job market in Torrance reveals that there are currently 26 licensed practical nurses employed, navigating an economy with a cost-of-living index of 113.1, which surpasses the national average. This elevated cost of living impacts purchasing power, meaning LPNs must consider their salary against local expenses. Skilled nursing facilities generally compensate LPNs better than other employers, such as physician offices or home health agencies, primarily due to the nature of care provided and operational demands. Factors influencing pay differentials include shift differentials, stipends for specialized certifications like IV therapy, and increased rates for working weekends or holidays in long-term care settings. To maximize earnings, LPNs can seek opportunities in these higher-paying environments, pursue additional certifications relevant to their field, and remain open to shift work that often comes with premium pay.
More salary data for Torrance, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Torrance, CA in 2026?
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Torrance?
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Related Pages
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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 $80,365 for licensed practical nursesin the Torrance 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 Torrance 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