Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $77,280 +24% vs national
Median hourly $37.16
10th percentile $62,690
90th percentile $98,590
Employed locally 6,640
National median $62,340

Compare Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary & buying power

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Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
in
San Diego, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $62,690
    25th
    $68,200
    50th (median)
    $77,280
    75th
    $82,780
    90th
    $98,590

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary vs area income 76% Median Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary is 24% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $92,840
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $90,810
    Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area $82,190
    Napa, CA $81,820
    Alaska nonmetropolitan area $81,300
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $80,880

    Nearby metros — Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $92,840
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $90,810
    Napa, CA $81,820
    Salinas, CA $80,600
    Vallejo, CA $80,380
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $80,180

    Related occupations in San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $133,090
    Physicians, All Other $323,050
    Pharmacy Technicians $49,540
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $70,240
    Pharmacists $163,860
    Nurse Practitioners $162,030

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses make per hour in San Diego?

    The median hourly wage for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in San Diego, CA is $37.16, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $46.34 or more per hour.

    Is San Diego above or below average for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salaries?

    The median Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary in San Diego, CA is 24% above the national median of $62,340. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in San Diego?

    Entry-level Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses (10th percentile) earn around $62,690 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $68,200.