California LVN Salary
The median California Licensed Vocational Nurse salary is $68,597 as of 2023. The pay ranges from the highest 10% of LVNs making $99,185 and the lowest 10% making $33,555. Our salary data for LVNs is consolidated from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and ZipRecruiter salary data.
Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) are healthcare professionals who provide essential nursing care to patients under the supervision of Registered Nurses (RNs) and doctors. Their duties typically include monitoring vital signs, administering medications, assisting with personal hygiene, wound care, and providing basic medical care.
How Much Do LVNs Make Per Hour?
The median national wage for LVNs is $33 per hour in the US according to ZipRecruiter salary data.
What does a Licensed Vocational Nurse do?
Patient care: Assisting patients with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, and eating.
Monitoring vital signs: Regularly checking and recording patients' vital signs, including temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration rates.
Administering medications: Administering prescribed medications and monitoring patients for any adverse reactions.
Wound care: Cleaning and dressing wounds to ensure proper healing and prevent infections.
Collecting samples: Collecting samples for lab tests, such as blood, urine, and sputum.
Reporting and documentation: Maintaining accurate patient records and reporting any changes in a patient's condition to the supervising RN or physician.
Assisting with procedures: Assisting RNs and physicians during medical procedures and exams.
Providing emotional support: Offering emotional support and education to patients and their families, helping them understand their health conditions and treatment plans.
Want to learn how to become a LVN? Read our full guide here.
Highest paying nursing agencies for LVNs
Top paying cities for LPNs & LVNs
According to ZipRecruiter data
| City | Average Annual Salary |
| Soledad | $97k |
| Corcoran | $95k |
| Wasco | $89k |
| San Quentin | $89k |
| Ione | $89k |
| Mill Valley | $87k |
| Scotts Valley | $87k |
| Napa County | $86k |
| Avenal | $84k |
How to increase your salary as a LVN in California
1. Pursue specialized certifications
Obtaining certifications in specialized areas of care can make you a more valuable asset in healthcare settings, often leading to higher pay. Common certifications that California LVNs can pursue include:
- IV Therapy and Blood Withdrawal Certification: This allows LVNs to perform intravenous procedures, a skill in high demand.
- Wound Care Certification: LVNs who specialize in wound care are essential in settings such as long-term care and home health.
- Pediatric or Geriatric Nursing Certification: Specializing in specific patient populations, such as pediatrics or geriatrics, can open the door to roles in specialized clinics or care facilities, often with better compensation.
2. Work in high-demand areas
Geographic location plays a significant role in salary variations. LVNs working in metropolitan areas like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego tend to earn higher wages due to the higher cost of living and increased demand for healthcare services. Additionally, working in hospitals or specialized facilities can lead to higher wages compared to nursing homes or clinics.
3. Consider travel nursing
Travel nursing offers short-term assignments across various healthcare facilities and often comes with higher pay, especially in high-demand areas. As an LVN, you can work in facilities that need temporary staffing, and you may also receive additional benefits like housing stipends, travel reimbursement, and bonuses.
4. Gain experience and pursue leadership roles
As you gain experience, moving into supervisory roles, such as charge nurse or team leader, can lead to increased salaries. These roles involve overseeing other LVNs or nursing aides, and the added responsibility often comes with higher pay.
5. Work overtime or night shifts
Many healthcare facilities, especially hospitals and long-term care settings, offer shift differentials or overtime pay for working nights, weekends, or holidays. Taking on these shifts can significantly increase your income over time.
6. Enroll in an LVN-to-RN program
One of the most effective ways to increase your salary is by becoming a Registered Nurse (RN). Many schools offer LVN-to-RN bridge programs that allow you to advance your education and skills in a shorter timeframe. As an RN, you will have a wider scope of practice, greater responsibilities, and significantly higher earning potential—California RNs earn a median annual salary of around $120,000.
7. Negotiate your salary
If you are switching jobs or taking on new responsibilities, don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary. Research the average pay for LVNs in your area, considering your experience, certifications, and the specific needs of the employer, to make a compelling case for a higher wage.