Licensed Practical Nurse salary in San Diego, CA
Median pay, San Diego metro
$79,720/year
about $38.33 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $75,440 – $89,040
Half of licensed practical nurses in the San Diego metro area earn more than $79,720 a year and half earn less. That's 24% higher than the national median of $64,400, and ranks #7 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $64,950 | $31.23 |
| 25th | $75,440 | $36.27 |
| Median (50th) | $79,720 | $38.33 |
| 75th | $89,040 | $42.81 |
| 90th (top earners) | $96,390 | $46.34 |
*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 San Diego metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $75,440 ($36.27/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $75,440 to $89,040 ($36.27 to $42.81/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $89,040 ($42.81/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, San Diego 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.