California · CA

Nurse salary in California

Registered nurses in California earn about $140,270 a year ($67.44/hr) — about 44% above the U.S. average. State figures are estimates based on national pay and local cost of living — a starting point, not a guaranteed local wage.

Registered nurse — California

Verified public wage data

Median annual pay

$140,270

+44% vs national

Hourly

$67.44/hr

Median $140,270

$101,260Middle 50%: $122,440–$173,170$213,320

Typical range: $122,440–$173,170; What most nurses earn
High end: $213,320; Top earners
Entry level: $101,260; Newer nurses

Explore California nurse pay

Switch between cities and roles to drill into local pay.

All metros

Los AngelesCity / metro$135,560/yr$65.17/hrVerified public wage data San FranciscoCity / metro$186,610/yr$89.72/hrVerified public wage data San DiegoCity / metro$139,520/yr$67.08/hrVerified public wage data SacramentoCity / metro$171,460/yr$82.43/hrVerified public wage data

Calculate your pay →Submit your salary →Each figure is the median wage reported for that area in official public wage data.

Nurse pay by type in California

Estimated annual pay by nurse type, ranked. Local figures are estimates.

All nurse roles in California

Estimated pay for every nurse type in California — open one for the full local breakdown.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist$292,410 Certified Nurse Midwife$203,840 Nurse Manager$182,350 Travel Nurse$175,340 Nurse Practitioner$168,520 Flight Nurse$161,310 ICU Nurse$157,100 ER Nurse$154,300 NICU Nurse$154,300 Cath Lab Nurse$154,300 Operating Room Nurse$151,490 Nurse Informaticist$151,490 Charge Nurse$150,090 Labor & Delivery Nurse$148,690 PACU Nurse$148,690 Transplant Nurse$148,690 Trauma Nurse$148,690 Oncology Nurse$147,280 Case Management Nurse$147,280 Endoscopy Nurse$147,280 Cardiac Nurse$145,880 Neuroscience Nurse$145,880 Psychiatric Nurse$144,480 Telemetry Nurse$144,480 Pediatric Nurse$143,080 Correctional Nurse$143,080 Orthopedic Nurse$143,080 Gastroenterology Nurse$143,080 Registered Nurse$140,270 Med-Surg Nurse$140,270 Dialysis Nurse$140,270 Wound Care Nurse$140,270 Infusion Nurse$140,270 Occupational Health Nurse$140,270 Aesthetic Nurse$140,270 Rehabilitation Nurse$140,270 Urology Nurse$140,270 Hospice Nurse$138,870 Home Health Nurse$137,460 Ambulatory Care Nurse$137,460 Telehealth Nurse$136,060 Clinic Nurse$130,450 Public Health Nurse$129,050 School Nurse$126,240 Licensed Practical Nurse$79,750 Licensed Vocational Nurse$79,750 Nursing Assistant (CNA)$47,630

What affects nurse pay in California

Highest nurse pay in the U.S., offset by high cost of living. Within California, pay is shaped by the metro labor market, the mix of hospitals vs long-term care and clinics, union presence, shift differentials, and how short-staffed local employers are. Advanced-practice roles (NP, CRNA) and critical-care specialties command the highest pay. Use the calculator to estimate your own.

Where this figure comes from

This is the actual median wage reported for California in official U.S. government wage data — about 44% above the U.S. average. It is measured from employer-reported payroll, not estimated from a national average.

In California, the lowest-paid 10% earn about $101,260 and the highest-paid 10% about $213,320. Where you land depends on specialty, shift, overtime, union status, employer type, and years of experience.

Source year: 2025. Updated when new official wage data is published.

How to use this state figure

It’s the median actually reported for California — half of nurses earn more, half earn less. A midpoint, not an offer you’re guaranteed.
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.

Registered Nurse salary Licensed Practical Nurse salary Nurse Practitioner salary Personalize the calculator

Source & confidence— A verified figure from official U.S. public wage data.

BLS OEWS (May 2025, state)

California figures are published directly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for California (May 2025). They are not estimated or adjusted.

Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 17, 2026. Full methodology

Last reviewed July 17, 2026.

Nearby states

Alaska ($109,480)Arizona ($99,500)Colorado ($100,260)Hawaii ($136,320)Idaho ($92,460)