Licensed Practical Nurse salary in San Jose, CA
Median pay, San Jose / Silicon Valley metro
$95,320/year
about $45.83 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $84,000 – $100,950
Half of licensed practical nurses in the San Jose / Silicon Valley metro area earn more than $95,320 a year and half earn less. That's 48% higher than the national median of $64,400, and ranks #1 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $77,320 | $37.17 |
| 25th | $84,000 | $40.38 |
| Median (50th) | $95,320 | $45.83 |
| 75th | $100,950 | $48.53 |
| 90th (top earners) | $113,220 | $54.43 |
*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 Jose / Silicon Valley metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $84,000 ($40.38/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $84,000 to $100,950 ($40.38 to $48.53/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $100,950 ($48.53/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 Jose / Silicon Valley 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.