Nurse Practitioner Pay

Fontana vs Los Angeles: Nurse Practitioner Salary (2026)

Compare nurse practitioner salaries between Fontana, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fontana, CA
$178,681
$85.90/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$167,041
$80.31/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFontana, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$178,681$167,041
Hourly Rate$85.90$80.31
Entry Level (P10)$126,615$124,088
25th Percentile$151,471$137,837
75th Percentile$215,815$184,958
Top Earner (P90)$243,458$223,638
Total Employed3210,060
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fontana ($178,681) and Los Angeles ($167,041) nurse practitioner salaries.FontanaLos AngelesMedian Salary$178,681$167,041Entry Level (P10)$126,615$124,088Top Earner (P90)$243,458$223,638US Median $136,864

Verdict

Fontana, CA offers better overall compensation for nurse practitioners, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Los Angeles.

The salary gap between Fontana and Los Angeles is $11,640 (6.97%). Fontana's median is +30.55% compared to the US national median of $136,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fontana spans $116,843,Los Angeles spans $99,550. Fontana has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Fontana
P10 (Entry)$126,615
P25$151,471
Median$178,681
P75$215,815
P90 (Top)$243,458
Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$124,088
P25$137,837
Median$167,041
P75$184,958
P90 (Top)$223,638

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fontana ($157,985 effective) pays 7.41% more than Los Angeles ($147,087 effective).

Fontana
Nominal: $178,681
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $157,985
Los Angeles
Nominal: $167,041
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $147,087

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fontana if…

  • Higher median salary ($178,681/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($243,458)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $157,985)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Larger job market (10,060 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse practitioner salaries in Fontana grew -10.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 22.7% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Fontana, CA

+-10.5%

$192,890 (2024) → $172,722 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+22.7%

$131,620 (2019) → $161,470 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse practitioners more: Fontana or Los Angeles?

Fontana has a higher median nurse practitioner salary at $178,681/year, compared to Los Angeles at $167,041/year — a difference of $11,640 (6.97%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fontana and Los Angeles?

Fontana nurse practitioners earn $85.90/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $80.31/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fontana to Los Angeles as a nurse practitioner?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fontana and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fontana = $157,985, Los Angeles = $147,087), job availability (32 vs 10,060 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse practitioners earn in Fontana vs Los Angeles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse practitioners earn $126,615 in Fontana and $124,088 in Los Angeles. The Fontana area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MG

Written by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C

Career Analyst

Maria has 10 years of experience in adult healthcare. She works in a community health clinic. Her specialty is chronic disease management.

Clinically reviewed by James Patel, DNP, APRNData verified by Aisha Khan, MSN, FNP-BC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.45% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C, a licensed nurse practitioner with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov