How much does a licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse make in California?
$79,750a year
Median yearly pay for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in California. That is $38.34 an hour or $6,646 a month.
- Hourly
- $38.34
- Vs. national median
- +24%
- Rank among states
- 6 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 82,850
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $64,390Median: $79,750Highest 10%: $100,500
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $64,390 | $30.96 | |
| 25th | $74,840 | $35.98 | |
| Median | $79,750 | $38.34 | |
| 75th | $93,720 | $45.06 | |
| 90th | $100,500 | $48.29 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $95,320 |
| San Francisco, CA | $94,310 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $92,580 |
| Vallejo, CA | $85,430 |
| Napa, CA | $83,690 |
| Sacramento, CA | $81,570 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $81,000 |
| Salinas, CA | $80,910 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $79,940 |
| San Diego, CA | $79,720 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $79,310 |
| Oxnard, CA | $79,020 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $79,010 |
| Chico, CA | $78,750 |
| Yuba City, CA | $78,260 |
| Modesto, CA | $78,200 |
| Stockton, CA | $77,830 |
| Hanford, CA | $77,650 |
| Riverside, CA | $76,970 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $76,130 |
| Merced, CA | $75,890 |
| Fresno, CA | $75,580 |
| El Centro, CA | $74,710 |
| Redding, CA | $74,140 |
| Visalia, CA | $73,540 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses.
| 3. Oregon | $80,470 |
| 4. Massachusetts | $80,220 |
| 5. Rhode Island | $80,090 |
| 6. California | $79,750 |
| 7. New Hampshire | $77,110 |
| 8. Arizona | $77,070 |
| 9. Nevada | $76,160 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $38.34 ($79,750 a year).
Do licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $79,750 against $64,400 nationally, 24% more.
Where does California rank for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse pay?
California ranks 6 of 51 states.
Which city in California pays licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $95,320 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.