Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA make a median of $79,580 a year, or about $38.26 an hour. The range runs from $67K at the entry level to $103K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 109.9), so that salary is closer to $72,411 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $4,214/month — about 81.1% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $80K get you in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
About licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Entry-level licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses (10th percentile) start around $67K. Mid-career wages sit at $80K.Top earners bring in $103K or more - a $36K spread from bottom to top.
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $80K | +28% | 6,450 |
| Rhode Island | $78K | +25% | 1,080 |
| Alaska | $78K | +25% | 300 |
| California | $77K | +24% | 79,610 |
| Oregon | $77K | +23% | 4,340 |
| Massachusetts | $77K | +23% | 15,210 |
| New Hampshire | $75K | +20% | 2,130 |
| Arizona | $74K | +19% | 5,200 |
| Nevada | $74K | +18% | 3,210 |
| New Jersey | $71K | +14% | 15,210 |
| Maine | $71K | +14% | 850 |
| District of Columbia | $70K | +13% | 1,170 |
| Maryland | $70K | +12% | 9,510 |
| Connecticut | $69K | +11% | 8,890 |
| Delaware | $66K | +6% | 1,600 |
Track licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Santa Cruz-Watsonville numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median is $79,580 a year - that works out to about $38.26 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $66,900, and experienced licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses can clear $103,080. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $80K enough to live in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,069/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $4,214/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 83.1% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses salary go in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
Santa Cruz-Watsonville has a Regional Price Parity of 109.9 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses salary is worth about $72,411 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.