Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $79,580 +27.7% vs national
Median hourly $38.26
10th percentile $66,900
90th percentile $103,080
Employed locally 350
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
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $66,900
    25th
    $75,970
    50th (median)
    $79,580
    75th
    $95,690
    90th
    $103,080

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary vs area income 73% Median Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary is 27% 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 Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses$178,900
    Pharmacy Technicians$49,420
    Physicians, All Other$305,610
    Nurse Practitioners$159,090
    Dental Hygienists$127,120
    Pharmacists$162,630

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in Santa Cruz, CA is $38.26, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $48.95 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salaries?

    The median Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 27.7% 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 Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses (10th percentile) earn around $66,900 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $75,970.