Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Salary in California
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in California earn a median annual wage of $79,750 —23.8% above the national median of $64,400. That ranks CA #6 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment concentration (1.09×) is close to the national average.
Highest-paying states for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $83,150 | $39.98 | 6,780 | 0.46 |
| 2 | Alaska | $80,800 | $38.85 | 290 | 0.21 |
| 3 | Oregon | $80,470 | $38.69 | 4,260 | 0.52 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $80,220 | $38.57 | 13,210 | 0.87 |
| 5 | Rhode Island | $80,090 | $38.51 | 1,290 | 0.62 |
| 6 | California | $79,750 | $38.34 | 82,850 | 1.09 |
| 7 | New Hampshire | $77,110 | $37.07 | 2,220 | 0.78 |
| 8 | Arizona | $77,070 | $37.05 | 6,530 | 0.48 |
| 9 | Nevada | $76,160 | $36.62 | 3,350 | 0.52 |
| 10 | District of Columbia | $75,740 | $36.42 | 1,040 | 0.36 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | $140,270 | $97,550 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | $55,110 | $45,750 |
| Physicians, All Other | $281,590 | $265,930 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $76,010 | $62,930 |
| Nurse Practitioners | $168,520 | $132,300 |
| Pharmacists | $164,610 | $140,910 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses make in California?
The median annual wage for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in California is $79,750, or $38.34 per hour. That is 23.8% above the national median of $64,400.
What is the entry-level licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $64,390 per year ($30.96/hour). The 25th percentile is $74,840.
How many people work as licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in California?
About 82,850 people work in this occupation in California, or 4.5 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses?
California ranks #6 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment concentration (1.09x) is close to the national average.
Which state pays licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses the most?
Washington has the highest median wage at $83,150 per year, followed by Alaska ($80,800) and Oregon ($80,470).