Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse Salary in Modesto, CA
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in the Modesto, CA metro area earn a median $78,200 a year — 21% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $59,783 take-home, or $4,982 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse salary in Modesto, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,374
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,848
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,134
- California income tax$3,044
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$1,017
- Take-home pay$59,783
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 8.00% state
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse pay by experience in Modesto, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,940 | $29.78 | $49,378 | $4,115 |
| 25th percentile | $69,200 | $33.27 | $54,289 | $4,524 |
| Median (50th) | $78,200 | $37.60 | $59,783 | $4,982 |
| 75th percentile | $88,070 | $42.34 | $65,681 | $5,473 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,830 | $49.44 | $74,501 | $6,208 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $78,200 buys in Modesto, CA
Prices in Modesto, CA are 4.1% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.08× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse's $59,783 take-home pay has the buying power of $57,424 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Modesto, CA has 1.4× 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
Modesto, CA ranks #27 of 211 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spokane, WA | $78,950 | $64,371 | $64,149 |
| 2 | Reno, NV | $78,600 | $64,125 | $63,481 |
| 3 | Santa Rosa, CA | $92,580 | $68,376 | $63,438 |
| 4 | San Jose, CA | $95,320 | $70,013 | $63,405 |
| 5 | Tucson, AZ | $75,940 | $60,564 | $62,504 |
| 6 | Springfield, MA | $77,850 | $59,925 | $62,382 |
| 7 | Seattle, WA | $85,690 | $69,113 | $62,189 |
| 8 | Las Vegas, NV | $75,920 | $62,240 | $62,106 |
| 27 | Modesto, CA | $78,200 | $59,783 | $57,424 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 211 metros →
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse salaries elsewhere in California
- Santa Rosa, CA — $92,580
- San Jose, CA — $95,320
- San Francisco, CA — $94,310
- Vallejo, CA — $85,430
- Bakersfield, CA — $76,130
- Sacramento, CA — $81,570
- Visalia, CA — $73,540
- Fresno, CA — $75,580
Frequently asked questions
How much does a licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse make in Modesto, CA?
The median licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse salary in the Modesto, CA metro area is $78,200 a year, or about $37.60 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $69,200 and $88,070.
What is a licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse’s take-home pay in Modesto, CA?
On the median $78,200 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $59,783 a year ($4,982 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,060 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Modesto, CA a good place to work as a licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse?
Pay here is 21% above the national median of $64,400. Local prices are 4.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $57,424 would in a typical U.S. city. Modesto, CA ranks #27 of 211 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse afford rent in Modesto, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Modesto, CA is $1,356 a month ($1,758 for two bedrooms) — 27% 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 Modesto, CA
- Registered Nurse — $132,590
- Pharmacy Technician — $50,540
- Emergency Medical Technician — $47,160