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Average Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA, command an impressive average annual salary of $84,310, significantly surpassing the national average of $64,450. This elevated compensation is likely driven by the region's specific healthcare demands and potentially a higher cost of doing business, necessitating competitive pay to attract and retain skilled nursing professionals.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $84,310 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 33.4% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $103,080.
  • Outlook: With a local workforce of 350 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA, presents a stable, albeit not exceptionally concentrated, job market for these professionals. The Location Quotient of 0.86 suggests a slightly lower concentration of LPVNs compared to the national average, indicating a steady demand that aligns with the overall workforce size, rather than a market flooded with opportunities or one experiencing extreme shortages.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$84,310

The average Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA earns+30.8%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$40.5

Weekly

$1,621

Monthly

$7,026

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Salary Distribution in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Salary progression for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA, typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions will naturally fall towards the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned professionals with extensive experience and specialized skills can expect to earn significantly more, often reaching the higher percentiles. The gap between entry-level and senior roles highlights clear career advancement opportunities and increased earning potential.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Resident / New GradClinical rotation complete. Gaining floor experience.10% (Entry)$66,900$32.2
Staff ClinicianFull patient caseload. Proficient in core procedures.25% (Junior)$63,233$30.4
Charge / SeniorShift lead. Precepts new hires. Specialized certification.50% (Median)$79,580$38.3
SpecialistAdvanced degree/cert (e.g., ICU, OR). High acuity cases.75% (Senior)$105,388$50.7
Director / LeadDepartment head or Advanced Practice Provider.90% (Expert)$103,080$49.6

Detailed Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$84,310

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$84,310

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $84,310 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA, aligns perfectly with the local Cost of Living Index of 100, which is the national average. This means that while the nominal salary is substantially higher than the national average, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to the national average, offering a balanced financial landscape for these healthcare professionals.

Job Market Context

350

Total Jobs

3.508

Per 1K Jobs

0.86

Location Quotient

Below Average

Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA has 0.86x 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 0.86 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA, indicates that the region employs LPVNs at a rate slightly below the national average. This suggests a market that is neither oversaturated nor experiencing a critical deficit of these professionals, implying a balanced environment where job opportunities are available but competition may exist for desirable positions.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

CitySalaryDist.
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Salary$91,650↑ 9%26 mi
Salinas, CA Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Salary$79,580↓ 6%30 mi
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Salary$90,610↑ 7%58 mi
Modesto, CA Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Salary$75,510↓ 10%73 mi
Vallejo, CA Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Salary$84,540↑ 0%79 mi

Comparing salaries near Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Hiring Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?

The median annual salary for a Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $84,310. This typically ranges from $66,900 for entry-level positions to $103,080 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is 30.8% higher than the national median of $64,450.

Is Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA a lucrative place for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?

Yes, it offers above-average compensation.Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA, earn an average of $84,310 annually, which is considerably higher than the national average. Coupled with a cost of living that matches the national average, this makes the location financially attractive.

Is Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA a good place to live for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?

The Cost of Living Index in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?

Some top paying nearby cities include San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($91,650) and Salinas, CA.

How does the Santa Cruz-Watsonville LPVN salary compare to the national average?

The average annual salary for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA, is $84,310, which is approximately $19,860 higher than the national average of $64,450.

What is the concentration of LPVNs in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?

The concentration, measured by the Location Quotient, is 0.86, indicating that LPVNs are employed at a rate slightly lower than the national average in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA.

Does the cost of living affect the LPVN salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?

The cost of living in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA, is at the national average (100). Therefore, the higher nominal salary of $84,310 for LPVNs translates to a purchasing power equivalent to the national average.

How many LPVNs work in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA area?

There are approximately 350 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses employed within the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA, metropolitan area.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 350 employees in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA area with a job density of 3.508 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Top Jobs in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Semantic Salary Analysis for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA