Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Tustin, CA: $83,429 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Tustin, CA earns a median $83,429/year (≈ $40.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Tustin's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $73,766 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Tustin, California, the licensed practical nurse salary is projected to be approximately $83,429 in 2026, which reflects the local market's strength compared to the national median of $68,071. This figure highlights a noteworthy difference, with Tustin LPNs earning 22.56% more than their national counterparts. The salary range for licensed practical nurses in this city spans from $62,275 at the 10th percentile to $106,540 at the 90th percentile, as estimated based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price levels. Local employers in various sectors, including skilled nursing facilities, home health, and clinics, may influence these figures as they determine salaries based on the specific healthcare needs and structural choices prevalent in the area.
About the Tustin Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,275 | $29.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,443 | $35.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,429 | $40.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,931 | $47.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,540 | $51.22 |
Median Salary Position
22.56% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tustin
In Tustin, CA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,265 (2026 est.). At $83,429, the local median is 22.56% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tustin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tustin Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Tustin median: $83,429/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tustin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $83,513 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | +22.56% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Tustin, CA earn a median of $83,429 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.56% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 0.10% below the California state average of $83,513.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tustin has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tustin, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $83,429 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $73,766 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,192
2025 BLS Actual
$78,930
2026 Current Est.
$83,429
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Tustin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,192 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,835 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,916 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,943 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,206 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,129 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,930 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,429 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,184 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tustin metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $58,192 (2019) to $78,930 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,184 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,992 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tustin 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) | $62,275 – $74,443 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,443 – $83,429 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,429 – $97,931 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,931 – $106,540 |
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 Tustin
The job market for licensed practical nurses in Tustin shows a modest group of 18 practitioners, which reflects a focused and competitive environment for employment opportunities. The cost-of-living index, sitting at 113.1, signifies that essentials and housing may be more expensive than the national average, potentially affecting take-home pay and purchasing power for LPNs. Among the major employers, skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the most competitive salaries, driven by the demands for stability and care within long-term settings. Factors such as availability for shifts, certifications in IV therapy, and experience can widen the earnings gap significantly. Those seeking higher compensation should consider options in skilled nursing roles and leverage specialty training, as higher pay typically correlates with demanding work environments and various incentives like shift differentials and holiday premiums.
More salary data for Tustin, 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 $78,930 for licensed practical nursesin the Tustin 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 Tustin 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