LVN Salary in Los Angeles, CA
LVNs in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metro earn a median of $69,840 per year ($33.58/hour) according to O*NET — roughly 6% below the California state median but about 23% above the national LVN median.
LVNs in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metro earn a median of $69,840 per year ($33.58/hour) according to O*NET — roughly 6% below the California state median but about 23% above the national LVN median.
According to O*NET, the top 10% of LVNs in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metro earn more than $86,300 per year — and the metro employs around 18,400 LVNs, one of the largest LVN workforces in the country.
According to O*NET, LVNs in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metro earn a median of $69,840 per year, or about $33.58 per hour. Entry-level LVNs at the 10th percentile earn around $54,170, while top earners at the 90th percentile clear $86,300. That metro median sits roughly 6% below California's statewide LVN median of $74,160 but is about 23% above the national median of $56,770. With around 18,400 LVNs employed in the metro, Los Angeles is one of the country's largest LVN job markets — though high housing costs absorb part of that wage advantage.
What creates the spread within Los Angeles is mostly work setting. Large hospital systems like Cedars-Sinai, UCLA Health, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, and Keck Medicine of USC tend to anchor the upper percentiles, while skilled nursing facilities and small clinics cluster nearer the 25th percentile. Shift selection is the second big lever — nights, weekends, and per diem assignments routinely add 10–20%. Persistent staffing pressure across Los Angeles County health facilities also keeps overtime widely available for LVNs willing to pick up extra shifts.
O*NET percentile wages for LVNs in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metro area.
| Percentile | Los Angeles Annual | Los Angeles Hourly | CA Annual | National Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $54,170 | $26.04/hr | $54,860 | $40,490 |
| 25th | $62,540 | $30.07/hr | $64,820 | $47,260 |
| 50th (Median) | $69,840 | $33.58/hr | $74,160 | $56,770 |
| 75th | $78,920 | $37.94/hr | $82,310 | $67,490 |
| 90th | $86,300 | $41.49/hr | $89,540 | $77,870 |
Los Angeles sits slightly below the California state median but well above the national median. The tradeoff is real — strong wage potential offset by some of the highest housing and commuting costs in the country.
| Metro Area | Median Salary | vs Los Angeles | vs CA State |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $65,720 | -$4,120 | -11% |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $68,910 | -$930 | -7% |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $67,540 | -$2,300 | -9% |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $63,180 | -$6,660 | -15% |
| Fresno, CA | $64,430 | -$5,410 | -13% |
Three local factors do most of the work: where you work, how long you've been at it, and whether you build toward an RN credential.
Setting is the biggest local driver. Large systems like Cedars-Sinai, UCLA Health, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, and Keck Medicine of USC typically pay in the upper percentiles, while skilled nursing facilities and small clinics cluster near the 25th percentile. Los Angeles County health facilities offer strong union wage ladders.
New LVNs in Los Angeles typically start near $54,000–$60,000, while LVNs with 5+ years and specialty skills reach $78,000–$86,000. Night and weekend differentials commonly add 10–20%, and per diem rates can push hourly pay above $45. Persistent staffing shortages keep overtime widely available.
The biggest long-term earnings move is the LVN-to-RN bridge. California RNs earn a median around $137,690 — nearly double the Los Angeles LVN median of $69,840. Local pathways include Los Angeles City College, Los Angeles County College of Nursing and Allied Health, Pasadena City College, and East Los Angeles College.
If you want to push toward the top of the Los Angeles wage range, target the large hospital systems and Los Angeles County facilities first — Cedars-Sinai, UCLA Health, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, and Keck Medicine of USC all pay above the metro median and offer structured step increases. Pick up nights or weekends to capture the 10–20% differential, add certifications like IV therapy and wound care, and use the ongoing staffing pressure across LA County as leverage when negotiating shift premiums or per diem rates.
The bigger long-term play is the LVN-to-RN bridge. California RNs earn roughly double the LVN median, and Los Angeles offers strong local pathways at Los Angeles City College, Los Angeles County College of Nursing and Allied Health, Pasadena City College, and East Los Angeles College. Many hospital employers offer tuition reimbursement that covers most of the cost, letting you build an RN career in one of the largest healthcare markets in the country without relocating to the more expensive Bay Area.
Search BVNPT-approved LVN programs across the Los Angeles area to compare cost, length, NCLEX-PN pass rates, and clinical placement options.
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With around 18,400 LVNs employed in the metro per O*NET, Los Angeles offers more setting variety than nearly any other LVN market in the country — from major academic hospitals to county facilities and home health.
Los Angeles' LVN median of $69,840 trails California's $74,160 by about 6%, but still beats the national median of $56,770 by roughly 23% according to O*NET.
Night, weekend, and per diem differentials in Los Angeles commonly add 10–20% to base pay. Choosing nights at a large hospital system can shift you from the 50th to the 75th percentile.
Persistent staffing pressure across Los Angeles County hospitals and SNFs means overtime is consistently available. An extra 4–8 hours per week can add $10,000+ annually at time-and-a-half.
California RNs earn a median near $137,690 — nearly double the Los Angeles LVN median. Local bridge programs at LACC, Pasadena City College, and East LA College make the jump achievable.