How much is the licensed practical nurse vs nursing assistant (cna) pay gap in California?

The estimated gap in California is about $30,550 a year, or roughly 52% more for licensed practical nurses. Your actual pay depends on experience, specialty, shift, and employer — use the calculator to compare both for your situation.

Are these California figures exact?

No — they're modeled estimates, not verified California wages. They start from each role's national pay and adjust for California's cost of labor, and they update to verified numbers when official state data is loaded.

Why are some figures verified and others estimates?

National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.

California · CA

Licensed Practical Nurse vs Nursing Assistant (CNA) salary in California

In California, licensed practical nurses earn more — an estimated $88,870 a year versus $58,320 for nursing assistant (cna)s, a gap of about $30,550 (roughly 52% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for California.

Licensed Practical Nurse — California

Estimated

Median annual pay

$88,870

+38% vs national

Hourly

$42.73/hr

Median $88,870

$68,640Middle 50%: $81,420–$104,920$115,150

Typical range: $81,420–$104,920; What most nurses earn
High end: $115,150; Top earners
Entry level: $68,640; Newer nurses

Nursing Assistant (CNA) — California

Estimated

Median annual pay

$58,320

+38% vs national

Hourly

$28.04/hr

Median $58,320

$46,840Middle 50%: $51,420–$65,160$71,730

Typical range: $51,420–$65,160; What most nurses earn
High end: $71,730; Top earners
Entry level: $46,840; Newer nurses

Why the gap in California

Licensed practical nurses earn more than certified nursing assistants because LPNs hold a state nursing license earned by passing the NCLEX-PN and practice with a broader clinical scope, including medication administration and treatments. The CNA is a shorter certificate credential limited to basic care tasks under supervision. The California figures apply the same local pay adjustment to both roles, so the gap here mirrors the national picture, shifted for California's cost of labor. Actual pay varies with experience, specialty, shift, and employer — compare the national Licensed Practical Nurse vs Nursing Assistant (CNA) comparison or personalize the calculator.

Licensed Practical Nurse vs Nursing Assistant (CNA) in California — FAQ

Do licensed practical nurses or nursing assistant (cna)s earn more in California?: In California, licensed practical nurses earn more — an estimated $88,870 a year versus $58,320 for nursing assistant (cna)s, a gap of about $30,550 (roughly 52% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for California's local pay level.
How much is the licensed practical nurse vs nursing assistant (cna) pay gap in California?: The estimated gap in California is about $30,550 a year, or roughly 52% more for licensed practical nurses. Your actual pay depends on experience, specialty, shift, and employer — use the calculator to compare both for your situation.
Are these California figures exact?: No — they're modeled estimates, not verified California wages. They start from each role's national pay and adjust for California's cost of labor, and they update to verified numbers when official state data is loaded.
Why are some figures verified and others estimates?: National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.

Source & confidence— An estimate based on national nurse pay and local cost of living. A ballpark to start from, not an exact figure.

Modeled estimate (BLS national × state wage index)

California figures are estimated by adjusting the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS national median for local pay levels (a state adjustment of 1.38×).

Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 3, 2026. Full methodology

Estimated figures for California. Last reviewed July 3, 2026.