NICU Nurse salary in California
A nicu nurse in California earns an estimated $142,080 a year ($68.31/hr) — about 38% above the U.S. average, with most between $115,350 and $152,980. State figures are estimates based on national pay for the role and local cost of living — a starting point, not a guaranteed local wage.
NICU Nurse — California
Specialty estimateMedian annual pay
$142,080
+38% vs nationalHourly
$68.31/hr
- Typical range
- $115,350–$152,980
- What most nurses earn
- High end
- $205,420
- Top earners
- Entry level
- $100,230
- Newer nurses
NICU Nurse pay by city in California
Estimated pay in the state's largest metro areas.
| City | Est. annual | Est. hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $144,140 | $69.30 |
| San Francisco | $166,800 | $80.19 |
| San Diego | $140,030 | $67.32 |
| Sacramento | $149,290 | $71.77 |
NICU Nurse pay in nearby-paying states
How California compares to states with similar nicu nurse pay.
Other nursing roles in California
Compare estimated pay for related roles in this state.
What affects nicu nurse pay in California
Highest nurse pay in the U.S., offset by high cost of living. For a nicu nurse specifically, pay is shaped by the metro labor market, hospital vs clinic vs long-term-care setting, union presence, shift differentials, unit acuity, and years of experience. Certifications and a move into charge or advanced-practice roles raise pay further. Use the calculator to estimate your own.
How this estimate was calculated
The California figure adjusts the national RN average of $102,960 for local pay levels — a factor of 1.38× (about 38% above the U.S. average). It is a starting point — not an official California wage — until verified local figures and nurse submissions are loaded.
Local pay can vary well beyond this by specialty, shift, union status, employer type, overtime, and care setting. When official state wage data is loaded, this number updates to a verified value automatically.
Use this state estimate as a starting point
- It’s a starting point for California, based on national pay and local cost of living until official state data is loaded — not a guaranteed local wage.
- Your actual pay shifts with role and specialty, care setting, shift, overtime, union status, and years of experience — so compare a role-specific page and personalize the calculator.
- Reviewed salary submissions from nurses in California make this page more precise over time.
NICU Nurse salary in California — FAQ
- How much does a nicu nurse make in California?
- A nicu nurse in California earns an estimated $142,080 a year — about $68.31 an hour, with most between $115,350 and $152,980. That's about 38% above the national average. This is an estimate based on national pay for the role and California's local pay level, not a guaranteed local wage.
- Is California a good state for nicu nurses?
- For pay, California sits about 38% above the national average for nicu nurses. A higher number often comes with a higher cost of living, so weigh the estimated $142,080 against local housing and expenses rather than the headline figure alone.
- Which city in California pays nicu nurses the most?
- Among California metros we track, San Francisco tends to have the highest estimated pay for nicu nurses, at roughly $166,800 a year. City figures are estimates based on the role's national pay and local cost of living.
- How does California nicu nurse pay compare to the national average?
- The national estimate for a nicu nurse is about $102,960 a year, versus an estimated $142,080 in California — about 38% above the national average. Use the calculator to factor in your experience, specialty, and shift.
- 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 for a specialty that public pay data does not list on its own. A ballpark to start from, not an exact figure.
Modeled estimate (BLS national × state wage index)
California figures for SOC 29-1141 are modeled by applying a state wage index of 1.38 to the BLS national median. Import official OEWS state files to replace with verified figures.
Source year 2024. Last reviewed June 1, 2025. Full methodology
Estimated figure — national nicu nurse pay adjusted for California. Last reviewed June 1, 2025.