Salary distribution
Where San Diego licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $68,200 and $82,780, with a median of $77,280.
Typical entry
Education
Postsecondary nondegree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.1 / 5
Service Orientation
Technical
- 4.0 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Social Perceptiveness
Technical
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Coordination
Technical
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Problem Sensitivity
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Observe patients, charting and reporting changes in patients' conditions, such as adverse reactions to medication or treatment, and taking any necessary action.
- 02
Measure and record patients' vital signs, such as height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, pulse, or respiration.
- 03
Administer prescribed medications or start intravenous fluids, noting times and amounts on patients' charts.
- 04
Provide basic patient care or treatments, such as taking temperatures or blood pressures, dressing wounds, treating bedsores, giving enemas or douches, rubbing with alcohol, massaging, or performing catheterizations.
- 05
Answer patients' calls and determine how to assist them.
- 06
Provide medical treatment or personal care to patients in private home settings, such as cooking, keeping rooms orderly, seeing that patients are comfortable and in good spirits, or instructing family members in simple nursing tasks.
- 07
Supervise nurses' aides or assistants.
- 08
Sterilize equipment and supplies, using germicides, sterilizer, or autoclave.
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Explore coursesOther metros in California
How the San Diego metro compares to other major California metro areas for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses.
- San Jose$92,840
- San Francisco$90,810
- Sacramento$79,460
- Los Angeles$76,290
- Riverside$75,560
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in San Diego, California?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in the San Diego metropolitan area is $77,280.
- Does San Diego pay more than the California state average for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
- The San Diego metro median is +0.1% versus the California state median of $77,170.
- How does San Diego compare to the national median for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
- The San Diego metro median is +21.6% versus the BLS national figure of $63,569.
- What is the salary range for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in San Diego?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $62,690 and the 90th-percentile at $98,590 for the San Diego metro area.
- What education is required for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Postsecondary nondegree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. BLS metro estimates reflect the San Diego CBSA boundary for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.