Nurse Practitioner Pay

Los Angeles vs Torrance: Nurse Practitioner Salary (2026)

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

Los Angeles, CA
$167,041
$80.31/hr
Torrance, CA
$174,767
$84.02/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CATorrance, CA
Median Salary$167,041$174,767
Hourly Rate$80.31$84.02
Entry Level (P10)$124,088$126,256
25th Percentile$137,837$149,785
75th Percentile$184,958$214,168
Top Earner (P90)$223,638$242,303
Total Employed10,06026
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($167,041) and Torrance ($174,767) nurse practitioner salaries.Los AngelesTorranceMedian Salary$167,041$174,767Entry Level (P10)$124,088$126,256Top Earner (P90)$223,638$242,303US Median $136,864

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Torrance is $7,726 (4.63%). Torrance's median is +27.69% compared to the US national median of $136,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Los Angeles spans $99,550,Torrance spans $116,047. Torrance has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse practitioners.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$124,088
P25$137,837
Median$167,041
P75$184,958
P90 (Top)$223,638
Torrance
P10 (Entry)$126,256
P25$149,785
Median$174,767
P75$214,168
P90 (Top)$242,303

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Torrance ($154,524 effective) pays 5.06% more than Los Angeles ($147,087 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $167,041
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $147,087
Torrance
Nominal: $174,767
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $154,524

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Los Angeles if…

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

Choose Torrance if…

  • Higher median salary ($174,767/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($242,303)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $154,524)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse practitioner salaries in Los Angeles grew 22.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -10.5% growth in Torrance over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+22.7%

$131,620 (2019) → $161,470 (2025)

Torrance, CA

+-10.5%

$188,665 (2024) → $168,939 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Torrance has a higher median nurse practitioner salary at $174,767/year, compared to Los Angeles at $167,041/year — a difference of $7,726 (4.63%).

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

Los Angeles nurse practitioners earn $80.31/hr while Torrance hygienists earn $84.02/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Torrance. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $147,087, Torrance = $154,524), job availability (10,060 vs 26 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse practitioners earn $124,088 in Los Angeles and $126,256 in Torrance. The Torrance 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