Licensed Practical Nurse salary in Los Angeles, CA
Median pay, Los Angeles metro
$79,310/year
about $38.13 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $73,860 – $92,930
Half of licensed practical nurses in the Los Angeles metro area earn more than $79,310 a year and half earn less. That's 23% higher than the national median of $64,400, and ranks #8 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $64,200 | $30.87 |
| 25th | $73,860 | $35.51 |
| Median (50th) | $79,310 | $38.13 |
| 75th | $92,930 | $44.68 |
| 90th (top earners) | $96,630 | $46.46 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Is your offer fair?
For a licensed practical nurse job in the Los Angeles metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $73,860 ($35.51/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $73,860 to $92,930 ($35.51 to $44.68/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $92,930 ($44.68/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Night, weekend and holiday differentials can add a lot. Ask for the exact rates.
- Pay often differs between nursing homes, hospitals, clinics and home health, so compare like with like.
- Agency and travel LPN jobs pay more per hour but usually come with fewer benefits.
Also watch for the common warning signs in the posting itself: 15 job posting red flags.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025, Los Angeles metro. Occupation: Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses (SOC 29-2061). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.