LPN salary in California
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
An LPN in California earns a median of $79,750 a year ($38.34/hour equivalent), 23.8% above the national median of $64,400. California ranks #6 of 51 states. About 82,850 people do this job in California.
Take-home pay in California
At the California median, a single filer keeps about $60,726 a year after federal, FICA and California taxes — $2,336 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the California paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $3,067.31
- Federal income tax
- −$335.19
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$190.17
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$44.48
- California income tax
- −$121.99
- CA SDI
- −$39.88
- Take-home pay
- $2,335.60
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $79,750
- Federal
- $8,715
- FICA
- $6,101
- State + local
- $4,208
- Net
- $60,726
- Marginal federal rate
- 22.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 9.3%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How California compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Washington | $83,150 |
| #2 | Alaska | $80,800 |
| #3 | Oregon | $80,470 |
| #4 | Massachusetts | $80,220 |
| #5 | Rhode Island | $80,090 |
| #6 | California | $79,750 |
| #49 | West Virginia | $55,360 |
| #50 | South Dakota | $52,750 |
| #51 | Mississippi | $50,220 |
See the national LPN salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses (SOC 29-2061), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an LPN make in California?
The median salary is $79,750 a year and the average is $82,340 (BLS May 2025).
Is California a good state for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses?
California ranks #6 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 24% above the national median of $64,400.
What is $79,750 after taxes in California?
About $60,726 a year ($2,336 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.