Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area earn an impressive average annual salary of $91,650. This figure significantly surpasses the national average of $64,450, indicating a strong demand and higher compensation for these essential healthcare professionals in the region. The elevated pay is likely influenced by the high cost of living and the specialized skill set required in this competitive metropolitan area.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $91,650 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 20.7% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $105,500.
- Outlook: With a local workforce of 2,930 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area demonstrates a substantial presence of these professionals. The location quotient of 0.63 suggests that while the concentration is slightly below the national average, the absolute number of jobs indicates a robust and active market for LPNs/LVNs. This signifies a stable demand for their services within the region's healthcare infrastructure.
Salary Overview
The average Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earns+42.2%above the national average.
$44.1
$1,763
$7,638
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for the last four years is not provided, it is generally observed that salaries for skilled healthcare roles like Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses have seen consistent growth. Factors such as increasing healthcare needs, inflation, and advancements in medical practices typically drive an upward trend in compensation for LPNs/LVNs across major metropolitan areas like San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA.
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Salary Distribution in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Career progression for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is typically marked by increasing salary potential. Entry-level positions may start at a lower percentile, but with accumulated experience, specialized certifications, and a proven track record, nurses can advance to senior roles commanding higher salaries. The salary distribution across different experience levels reflects a clear pathway for career growth and increased earning capacity within the field.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resident / New GradClinical rotation complete. Gaining floor experience. | 10% (Entry) | $76,120 | $36.6 |
| Staff ClinicianFull patient caseload. Proficient in core procedures. | 25% (Junior) | $68,738 | $33 |
| Charge / SeniorShift lead. Precepts new hires. Specialized certification. | 50% (Median) | $92,840 | $44.6 |
| SpecialistAdvanced degree/cert (e.g., ICU, OR). High acuity cases. | 75% (Senior) | $114,563 | $55.1 |
| Director / LeadDepartment head or Advanced Practice Provider. | 90% (Expert) | $105,500 | $50.7 |
Detailed Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$91,650
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$91,650
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $91,650 in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA aligns perfectly with the national average cost of living index of 100. This means that while the nominal salary is substantially higher than the national average, the purchasing power of that salary is effectively equivalent to the national average. Therefore, the increased earnings are balanced by the local cost of goods and services, offering a comparable standard of living to the national average.
Job Market Context
2,930
Total Jobs
2.583
Per 1K Jobs
0.63
Location Quotient
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA has 0.63x the national average concentration of Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.
The location quotient of 0.63 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA indicates that the concentration of these professionals is slightly lower than the national average. This suggests that while the job market is active, there might be fewer LPNs/LVNs per capita compared to other regions. This could translate to a potentially less saturated job market for employers seeking to hire, and potentially more opportunities for individual nurses.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Salary | $84,310↓ 8% | 26 mi |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Salary | $90,610↓ 1% | 42 mi |
| Salinas, CA Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Salary | $79,580↓ 13% | 47 mi |
| Modesto, CA Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Salary | $75,510↓ 18% | 53 mi |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Salary | $76,180↓ 17% | 54 mi |
Comparing salaries near San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Hiring Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median annual salary for a Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $91,650. This typically ranges from $76,120 for entry-level positions to $105,500 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is 42.2% higher than the national median of $64,450.
Is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA a lucrative place for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess?
Yes, it is a lucrative place for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses.The average salary of $91,650 significantly exceeds the national average, and despite a cost of living index matching the national average, the higher nominal wage offers strong earning potential.
Is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA a good place to live for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
The Cost of Living Index in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
Some top paying nearby cities include Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($84,310) and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA.
How does the number of LPN/LVN jobs compare to the national average in San Jose?
With 2.583 jobs per 1,000 workers, the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area has a slightly lower density of LPN/LVN positions compared to the national average, as indicated by a location quotient of 0.63.
What is the total number of LPN/LVNs employed in San Jose?
The San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metropolitan area employs a total of 2,930 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses.
Does the high salary in San Jose reflect a higher cost of living?
The average salary of $91,650 in San Jose is balanced by a cost of living index of 100, which is the national average. This means your earnings will have purchasing power equivalent to the national average.
Are LPN/LVN jobs more or less concentrated in San Jose compared to the rest of the US?
The concentration of LPN/LVN jobs in San Jose is slightly less than the national average, with a location quotient of 0.63, suggesting a relatively lower density of these professionals per capita.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 2,930 employees in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area with a job density of 2.583 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA