Licensed Practical Nurse salary in San Francisco, CA
Median pay, San Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland)
$94,310/year
about $45.34 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $81,650 – $104,110
Half of licensed practical nurses in the San Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland) area earn more than $94,310 a year and half earn less. That's 46% higher than the national median of $64,400, and ranks #2 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $75,900 | $36.49 |
| 25th | $81,650 | $39.25 |
| Median (50th) | $94,310 | $45.34 |
| 75th | $104,110 | $50.05 |
| 90th (top earners) | $109,120 | $52.46 |
*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 San Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland) area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $81,650 ($39.25/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $81,650 to $104,110 ($39.25 to $50.05/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $104,110 ($50.05/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 Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland). Occupation: Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses (SOC 29-2061). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.