In 2021, the average LVN salary in California is $63,676
California is routinely near the top of the list when it comes to pay for Licensed Vocational Nurses/Licensed Practical Nurses. In Texas and California, nurses are called LVNs, while the rest of the country uses the term LPN. As the pandemic continues to affect the US & the rest of the world, demand for licensed nurses has never been higher.
In 2021, the average LVN salary in California is $63,676. That averages out to $30.62/hour. The US Department of Labor's 2020 wage statistics lists the national LVN salary as $48,817 annually, which works out to $23.47 hourly.
Other states, like Nevada and Alaska, now have an average salary of nearly $62,000 a year. The cost of living in most parts of California is significantly higher than other states, however, so it's not a big surprise that California remains near the top of the pay scale.
California now has the 3rd average highest paid LVNs. On the flip side, many nurses in other states are paid dramatically less than their counterparts in California and Alaska. So there's a GIGANTIC difference in in pay between different states.
In 2020, LVNs in West Virginia had the lowest average pay, while Rhode Island has the highest of all 50 states.
Pay for LVNs varies greatly depending on the county, city, and metro area. Average pay for LVNs in the San Francisco metro area is now at $77,896. That's an all-time high! On the flip side, LVNs in the Imperial Valley averaged $50,004. As pay continues to rise going into 2022, the demand for new nurses in ALL California counties is increasing dramatically.
In Southern California, including LA, San Diego, And Orange Counties, the average pay is $67,383 in 2021. Central California LVNs averaged $54,082 annually. Central California includes Kern, Fresno, and Modesto Counties. Northern California LVNs routinely top the list with an average salary of $77,896.
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When it comes to salary, we always hear "Location, Location, Location"! Just like most other healthcare professions, your average salary as a California Vocational Nurse will largely depend on where you live.
If you work in a hospital in a large city, you're more likely to recieve a higher salary. That doesn't mean that working in a smaller metropolitan area automatically means lower pay. Many smaller cities in California have a higher cost of living, which often translates into higher pay.
As a general rule, nurses employed by hospitals will more likely be paid more than nurses who work in skilled nursing or assisted living facilities. And just like most other jobs, the more experience, the better! You'll see your pay increase as you log in more time on the job. LVNs also work with many municipal governments throughout California. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation(which includes state prisons) pays both Licensed Vocational Nurses and Registered Nurses about 20% more than nurses who work at private and public hospitals.
There are also many non-nursing careers in the healthcare field, and many don't require a 4 year degree.
Pay for LVN/LPNs in different states can vary wildly. The average LVN salary in Texas is $56,913, while pay for LPNs in West Virginia is averaging $38,950. Rhode Island leads the nation in pay, with an average annual salary of $65,062.