Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Salary in California
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in California was $79,750 +23.8% vs national
California vs United States
| California | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $79,750 | $64,400 |
| Median hourly | $38.34 | $30.96 |
| Employment | 82,850 | 648,410 |
| Location quotient | 1.09 | 1.00 |
Data source: BLS OES state file (California) · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
The numbers in context
The mean wage of $82,340 sits 3.2% above the median — the typical worker earns close to the median, while a smaller group of higher earners pulls the average up.
The median wage in California is 23.8% above the national median — a difference of about $15,350 per year for a typical worker.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses salary in California?
The median annual wage in California is $79,750 ($38.34 per hour), per BLS OES May 2025 data.
How does California compare to the national average for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses?
The California median of $79,750 is 23.8% higher than the U.S. median of $64,400.
How many licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses work in California?
Approximately 82,850 are employed in California, per BLS OES.