Senior Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Daly City, CA: $109,704 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of licensed practical nurses working in Daly City, CA — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $109,704/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-2061. Strip back Daly City's price premium (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $96,997 in average-cost America. The 28% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Daly City presents promising financial prospects for experienced licensed practical nurses, with the potential to earn a top-tier salary of $109,704 by 2026. This aligns favorably within the broader national context, where the highest earners in the field do not typically reach this level of compensation. The significant gap between the projected median annual salary of $85,715 and the upper echelon pay highlights the premium placed on substantial experience and specialized skills. Achieving top licensed practical nurse salary in Daly City often requires over seven years of practical nursing experience, proficiency in areas such as IV therapy or wound care, and potentially, pursuing additional credentials that distinguish an LPN in a competitive healthcare market.
About the Daly City Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Daly City
Experienced licensed practical nurses at the top of the pay scale in Daly City earn between $100,460 and $109,704 per year (2026 est.). This $46,020 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Daly City median of $85,715 sits 25.92% above the US median.
Top LPN Salary Comparison
| Level | Daly City | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $85,715 | $68,071 |
| 75th Percentile | $100,460 | $80,364 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $109,704 | $88,196 |
In Daly City, experienced licensed practical nurses (P90) earn 27.99% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Licensed Practical Nurse Pay in Daly City
Advanced Certifications in California
CA licensed practical nurses with additional specialty certifications within the nursing field earn significantly above the $85,715 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Daly City employers.
Specialty Focus
Licensed Practical Nurses focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the nursing field in Daly City command premium compensation, often reaching the $100,460–$109,704 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Daly City metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced licensed practical nurses who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured licensed practical nurses in Daly City with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Licensed Practical Nurses in California who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Licensed Practical Nurse Career & Wage Growth Path in Daly City
Clinical Licensed Practical Nurse
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Licensed Practical Nurse
5-10 yearsLicensed Practical Nurse Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedDaly City ranks #67 of 158 California cities for top earner licensed practical nurse salary (90th percentile: $109,704).
Top 10% licensed practical nurse compensation in Daly City ($109,704) is 4.76% above the California average P90 ($104,723).
2019 BLS Actual
$78,811
2025 BLS Actual
$103,788
2026 Current Est.
$109,704
2019–2027 Growth
+47.1%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Daly City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,811 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,498 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,346 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,367 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $115,498 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,788 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $109,704 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $115,957 | Projected |
Top-earning licensed practical nurses (90th percentile) in Daly City saw their compensation grow 31.7% from $78,811 in 2019 to $103,788 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 5.70% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $115,957 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Daly City 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.
Maximizing Your Licensed Practical Nurse Earnings in Daly City
Specializations play a vital role in determining senior licensed practical nurse pay CA, particularly in Daly City, where fields such as long-term care, hospice, and pediatric home care are ripe for higher compensation. The type of employer significantly impacts salary as well; licensed practical nurses working in skilled nursing facilities or long-term care settings typically enjoy better pay compared to those in home health agencies or physician offices. Career advancement opportunities abound, with paths leading to roles such as charge LPNs or LPN-to-RN bridge program enrollments. Moreover, certifications in IV therapy or wound care can provide a noteworthy boost to salary, elevating LPNs’ positions within the healthcare hierarchy. Non-salary benefits such as shift differentials and bonuses for weekends or holidays further enhance overall compensation, making the pursuit of experienced licensed practical nurse positions both lucrative and strategically advantageous in Daly City.
More salary data for Daly City, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced licensed practical nurses make in Daly City in 2026?
What drives higher licensed practical nurse pay in Daly City?
What certifications boost licensed practical nurse salary in Daly City?
Can experienced licensed practical nurses make six figures in Daly City?
How much does licensed practical nurse salary increase over time in Daly City?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $103,788 for licensed practical nurses in the Daly City metro area. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Daly City 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