Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse Salary in Los Angeles, CA
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area earn a median $79,310 a year — 23% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $60,447 take-home, or $5,037 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse salary in Los Angeles, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,618
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,917
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,150
- California income tax$3,146
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$1,031
- Take-home pay$60,447
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 9.30% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse pay by experience in Los Angeles, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,200 | $30.87 | $51,006 | $4,251 |
| 25th percentile | $73,860 | $35.51 | $57,134 | $4,761 |
| Median (50th) | $79,310 | $38.13 | $60,447 | $5,037 |
| 75th percentile | $92,930 | $44.68 | $68,585 | $5,715 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,630 | $46.46 | $70,796 | $5,900 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $79,310 buys in Los Angeles, CA
Prices in Los Angeles, CA are 13.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.70× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse's $60,447 take-home pay has the buying power of $53,227 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Los Angeles, CA has 1.3× the national concentration of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses, adjusted for cost of living
Los Angeles, CA ranks #39 of 53 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $95,320 | $70,013 | $63,405 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $85,690 | $69,113 | $62,189 |
| 3 | Las Vegas, NV | $75,920 | $62,240 | $62,106 |
| 4 | Providence, RI | $78,990 | $62,054 | $60,973 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $94,310 | $69,410 | $60,036 |
| 6 | Phoenix, AZ | $78,080 | $62,016 | $60,026 |
| 7 | Boston, MA | $82,190 | $62,761 | $57,969 |
| 8 | Chicago, IL | $78,070 | $60,033 | $57,949 |
| 39 | Los Angeles, CA | $79,310 | $60,447 | $53,227 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 53 metros →
About the job: licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
Care for ill, injured, or convalescing patients or persons with disabilities in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, group homes, and similar institutions. May work under the supervision of a registered nurse. Licensing required.
- Typical education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +3.0% (about average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse salaries elsewhere in California
- San Jose, CA — $95,320
- San Francisco, CA — $94,310
- Sacramento, CA — $81,570
- Fresno, CA — $75,580
- Riverside, CA — $76,970
- San Diego, CA — $79,720
Frequently asked questions
How much does a licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse make in Los Angeles, CA?
The median licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse salary in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area is $79,310 a year, or about $38.13 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $73,860 and $92,930.
What is a licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse’s take-home pay in Los Angeles, CA?
On the median $79,310 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $60,447 a year ($5,037 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,177 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Los Angeles, CA a good place to work as a licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse?
Pay here is 23% above the national median of $64,400. Local prices are 13.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $53,227 would in a typical U.S. city. Los Angeles, CA ranks #39 of 53 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse afford rent in Los Angeles, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Los Angeles, CA is $2,245 a month ($2,755 for two bedrooms) — 45% of a median licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Los Angeles, CA
- Physicians, All Other — $196,760
- Pediatricians, General — $176,900
- Physician Assistant — $161,890
- Nurse Practitioner — $161,470
- Veterinarian — $160,080
- Pharmacist — $157,440
- Dentists, General — $139,990
- Optometrist — $138,940
- Registered Nurse — $135,560
- Dental Hygienist — $122,980
- Occupational Therapist — $122,040
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer — $119,430