Licensed Practical Nurse.
San Francisco.
$69,000
median salary, 35% above the national average
$57,000 to $84,000. Updated for 2026.
The numbers.
Everything you need to negotiate with confidence.
If you are evaluating a Licensed Practical Nurse offer in San Francisco, CA, here is the reality: $57,000 to $84,000, with $69,000 as the midpoint. 35% above the national average. Work setting creates the widest pay gap, with skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies paying above physician offices. Do not accept the first number.
Salary range
Tap to place your salary
How San Francisco compares
San Francisco, CA
$69,000
Cost of living: 35% above average
National Average
$51,000
San Francisco is $18,000 above
What you should know
Here is what the Licensed Practical Nurse market actually looks like in San Francisco. San Francisco is the epicenter of venture capital and startup innovation, consistently producing the highest tech salaries in the nation. The city's concentration of AI labs, SaaS companies, and fintech firms creates intense competition for talent. Despite remote work trends, SF still commands the steepest salary premiums for engineering and product roles. Work setting creates the widest pay gap, with skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies paying above physician offices. States with nurse licensure compacts offer more flexibility and often higher pay for travel assignments. Shift differentials for evenings and weekends and IV therapy certification also contribute to higher earnings.
New LPNs start at $40,000 to $45,000 in most settings. With five years of experience and specialty skills, pay reaches $52,000 to $60,000. Charge LPNs or unit supervisors can earn $62,000 to $72,000, and many LPNs use the role as a bridge to RN licensure. In San Francisco, those numbers run higher. The cost of living here is 35% above average, and employers adjust to compete.
Base salary is not the full picture. LPNs receive standard healthcare benefits including medical, dental, and retirement contributions. Overtime is common and can add $5,000 to $10,000 annually. Some employers offer sign-on bonuses of $2,000 to $5,000 in high-demand areas. And on the tax side: california's top marginal state income tax rate is 13.3%, the highest in the U.S. San Francisco has no additional city income tax, but overall tax burden remains steep. When someone quotes you $69,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Leverage competing offers aggressively. SF employers expect candidates to shop around, and matching or beating a rival offer is standard practice here. The range for Licensed Practical Nurses in San Francisco runs from $57,000 to $84,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Top industries in San Francisco
Negotiating in San Francisco
Leverage competing offers aggressively. SF employers expect candidates to shop around, and matching or beating a rival offer is standard practice here.