LVN Salary in Ventura County, CA
Licensed Vocational Nurses in Ventura County earn a median of about $64,800 a year ($31.16/hour) according to O*NET — close to California's state median and well above the national LPN/LVN median of around $59,730.
Licensed Vocational Nurses in Ventura County earn a median of about $64,800 a year ($31.16/hour) according to O*NET — close to California's state median and well above the national LPN/LVN median of around $59,730.
According to O*NET, the top 10% of LVNs in the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura metro earn over $80,000 a year — roughly $20,000 more than the national LPN/LVN median, though coastal housing costs eat into that premium.
If you're an LVN in Ventura County, you're looking at a median wage of about $64,800 a year, or roughly $31.16 an hour, based on O*NET's most recent wage data for the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura metro. Entry-level LVNs at the 10th percentile earn around $51,200, while the top 10% pull in over $80,400. That puts Ventura County slightly below California's state median of $73,240 but about $5,070 above the national LPN/LVN median of $59,730. The metro employs around 1,890 LVNs across hospitals, clinics, and long-term care.
What creates the spread inside Ventura County? Work setting is the single biggest lever. Hospital systems like Community Memorial and Los Robles tend to pay more than skilled nursing facilities, while physician offices and clinics often land in the middle. Shift selection matters too — nights and weekends typically add 10–20% in differentials. And because coastal Southern California consistently runs short on bedside staff, overtime hours are usually available if you want them.
How Ventura County LVN wages spread from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th), per O*NET.
| Percentile | Ventura County Annual | Ventura County Hourly | CA Annual | National Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $51,200 | $24.62/hr | $52,810 | $43,540 |
| 25th | $57,100 | $27.45/hr | $62,950 | $50,150 |
| 50th (Median) | $64,800 | $31.16/hr | $73,240 | $59,730 |
| 75th | $73,600 | $35.39/hr | $80,820 | $70,930 |
| 90th | $80,400 | $38.65/hr | $88,950 | $77,870 |
Ventura County sits just below the California state median but comfortably above the national LPN/LVN median. Coastal housing costs offset some of that premium, so comparing nearby metros helps put the numbers in context.
| Metro Area | Median Salary | vs Ventura County | vs CA State |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $70,560 | +$5,760 | -4% |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $68,420 | +$3,620 | -7% |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $67,890 | +$3,090 | -7% |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $66,210 | +$1,410 | -10% |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $62,340 | -$2,460 | -15% |
Four levers drive Ventura County LVN pay: work setting, experience, shift selection, and the LVN-to-RN bridge.
Hospitals like Community Memorial Healthcare, Los Robles Regional Medical Center, St. John's Regional in Oxnard, and Adventist Health Simi Valley generally pay the highest wages with strong benefits. Ventura County Medical Center offers competitive county pay and pensions. Skilled nursing facilities and clinics sit lower but offer more predictable schedules.
New LVNs in Ventura County usually start near $51,000–$57,000. After 5–10 years, most land between $65,000 and $74,000. Night, weekend, and holiday differentials can add 10–20%, and coastal Southern California's tight staffing means overtime is widely available for nurses who want extra hours.
Bridging from LVN to RN is the biggest long-term move. California RNs earn a median of around $137,690 — more than double the Ventura County LVN median. Local LVN-to-RN pathways run through Ventura College, Oxnard College, Moorpark College, and nearby Cal State Channel Islands and CSU programs. LVN licensure in California is overseen by the BVNPT, which sets the requirements for the credential behind these earnings.
If maximum pay is your goal, target the hospital systems first — Community Memorial, Los Robles, St. John's Regional, and Adventist Health Simi Valley typically lead on base wages and benefits. Ventura County Medical Center adds a pension on top of competitive pay. Picking up nights, weekends, or per-diem shifts can lift your annual earnings by $8,000–$15,000. Certifications in IV therapy, wound care, or supervisory roles in skilled nursing also unlock higher-paying assignments and charge nurse positions.
The biggest long-term move is bridging from LVN to RN. Ventura College, Oxnard College, and Moorpark College all offer affordable pathways, and many local hospitals reimburse tuition for staff working toward an RN. Yes, coastal Ventura County is expensive — housing eats a real share of the paycheck — but earning an RN credential here pushes your income into six figures and keeps you close to family, beaches, and a robust healthcare job market that rarely cools off.
Compare accredited LVN programs serving Ventura County and the surrounding Southern California region to find the right fit for your goals and budget.
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Ventura County's median LVN wage sits about 11% below California's state median, but coastal lifestyle and proximity to LA-area hospital networks keep the market competitive.
At $64,800, the Ventura County LVN median runs about $5,070 above the national LPN/LVN median of $59,730, per O*NET wage data.
The 90th percentile in Ventura County clears $80,400 — typically experienced hospital LVNs working night shifts with differentials, overtime, and specialty certifications.
Night, weekend, and holiday differentials of 10–20% can add $7,000–$13,000 a year to a Ventura County LVN's base salary without changing employers.
California RNs earn a median of about $137,690 — more than double the Ventura County LVN median. Local community college bridges make that jump achievable.